Positive financial news was shared at the July 19 Barnesville Village Council meeting. Council members were informed of a $12,000 savings in workers' compensation, a smaller than expected increase in health insurance rates, as well as savings within the police and fire departments.
After a large claim in 2005 made the village ineligible, employees are now permitted to rejoin the group rating program under the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation. Village Clerk Amy Jackson said the group premium will result in a $12,000 savings for the village.
Council President Dale Bunting acknowledged several village employees for their efforts with the safety program.
The village has participated in the Safety Council through the St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce for the last two years. Earlier this year the workers' compensation bureau recognized the village for completing a full year with any loss-time accidents.
Jackson also reported that the cost of the health plan will increase by 2.7 percent after its September 1 renewal. Council responded favorably to the small increase.
Police Chief Dave Norris said his department could save about $5,000 a year by switching to a new LEADS Internet system. After he and dispatcher Kathy Norris attended a recent Law Enforcement Automated Data System training in Columbus, Norris said he learned that the new computerized data and communications network will cost between $3,600 and $4,200 a year. Currently, the department pays $9,000 a year.
In other positive financial news, , Fire Chief Bob Smith shared updates about two grants.
The Barnesville Emergency Squad was approved for a $7,500 grant for training and equipment. The grant, which is awarded by the Ohio Department of Public Safety Division of Emergency Medical Services, requires no matching funds from the village.
The Division of EMS also approved expenditures for the same grant awarded for 2009-10, Smith reported. The Barnesville E-Squad will be reimbursed for $9,000 in training- and equipment-related expenditures.
Smith also informed council that the American Testing Center completed its annual inspection recently and all of the fire trucks' ladders passed the center's assessment.
A concerned citizen addressed council about a local bar serving alcohol to minors. She claimed the juveniles are being cited while the source of the problem, the bar, goes unpunished. Chief Norris said he would look into the claim, but said when juveniles are caught drinking, they refuse to say where they obtained the alcohol.
The woman also addressed the issue of an unleashed and "constantly barking" dog in the Plumly Townhomes area. Chief Norris said the police department "keeps on top of barking dog situations" in the village. He said a warning is given for the first complaint, followed by a fine for the second complaint and a double fine for the third complaint.
Councilman Terry McCort suggested "beefing up" patrol for both issues.
Mayor Tom Michelli appointed Eugene "Doc" Householder, Joel Braido and Mel Milburn to the cemetery board. All three have previously served on the board. Michelli said he was not yet ready to appoint members to a proposed planning commission.
A park board meeting to discuss operational issues was held Thursday at the fire station.
Council approved a $300 purchase order to W.D. Refrigeration for cooler repairs for the park and recreation department and a $151 purchase order to New Cool for bulk water machine repairs for the water department.
Administrator Deal informed council of a bid from Ortec, a Cleveland-based firm, for a belt press to remove water from sludge. Deal said the belt press is lighter and bigger than the one originally quoted for the project.
A brief executive session was held after the meeting to discuss a request to sell a village-owned railroad spur on the southwest side of the village that crosses several land owners. Council decided not to sell the property.
Barnesville Village Council will next meet Monday, Aug. 2 , at 7 p.m. in council chambers.
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