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By JANELL HUNTER
Times Leader Staff Writer
BELMONT -- The village of Belmont has taken more steps toward establishing a polling place in the village. The Belmont County Board of Elections recently approved a request to allow the village to move its polling place back to the volunteer fire department, pending an Americans with Disabilities Act inspection.
Belmont Mayor Stan Sobel said the ADA inspector did a survey of the fire station earlier this week, and gave the village detailed instructions on what it needs to do to become compliant. "We only have to make a few small fixes. If we knew that was all it took, we could have done this years ago," Sobel said.
Fire Chief Bob Mills said to become compliant, new concrete must be poured for the sidewalk and entrance to the building. Mills said he has obtained an estimate for the work from Buckeye Curb Appeal of Colerain for $13,800. Village council approved the bid so that the work can begin soon. Sobel said the Belmont County Board of Elections wants to be present during the pouring of the concrete.
"I want to thank the board of elections for opening the door for us to have this as a possibility. It is something that this community has expressed to me for a long, long time that they need," Sobel said.
Mills also expressed the fire department's need for a replacement levy to be placed on the fall ballot. The levy would update a 5-mill fire levy originally approved by voters in 1981. The proposed replacement levy would generate more revenue for the fire department as it would use current property appraisal values instead of 1981 apprasial values. Mills said the levy is needed for equipment and fire trucks..
"I'm glad you guys are thinking ahead on this," Sobel said.
Fiscal Officer Ricky Burkhead told council the village would be reimbursed soon for a shared equipment grant for $139,900 for the village of Belmont and the village of Bethesda to purchase a new street sweeper. Both villages will receive $70,000.
Police Chief Eric Smith said the street sweeper has been delivered and village employees are being trained on how to use it.
Solicitor T.J. Schultz read several ordinances and resolutions, with all being approved by council. Ordinances regulating high grass and weeds, and regulating junk and litter on properties were passed on third readings. Sobel and Schultz discussed sending out letters warning residents who are not in compliance with the new ordinances.
The Belmont Gymnasium rental code ordinance was updated to hold those that reserve the gym accountable if they do not cancel a reservation before noon two days before the reservation. According to the updated ordinance, those who wish to rent the gym now must pay up front, and will lose that money if they do not cancel within that time frame.
Council discussed other issues that have come up with renting the gym, including how to penalize when someone writes a bad check and drawing up individualized contracts for those that rent the gym on a regular basis.
A resolution was passed authorizing Sobel to apply for an Ohio Department of Natural Resources NatureWorks grant for $25,000 for new playground equipment. Sobel has been working with the Ohio Mideastern Governments Association for help with writing the grant, and the village recently held a meeting of the Playground Reconstruction Committee to discuss the grant and its vision for the playground upgrade project.
"There are many aspects to this grant. One-third of it is done -- the easy part was demographics. We need to write in our exact plans for equipment, landscaping and programs we need to offer to get kids out of the house and onto the playground," Sobel said. "Unfortunately, nowadays you have to have planned activities for kids. You have to show kids how to play."
Sobel said he has been getting matching donations from community members, and has a pledge from a corporation to give a "substantial amount" for the project.
All equipment must be ADA-compliant.
"Bits and pieces of this grant would include people donating not just money, but in-kind services -- for example, someone donating their heavy equipment to help move dirt or mulch," Sobel said. "Having these donations of money, time and talent earn more points for the grant."
The grant application is due on May 1. Sobel invites everyone, even those that live outside the village, to participate on the playground committee.
"If you are interested in helping kids, you are welcome," Sobel added.