THIS YEAR'S annual Pumpkin Festival was, again, considered a smashing hit, and Barnesville Village Council said Monday evening that everything went as planned.
Mayor Tom Michelli said the four-day event turned out nicely, in spite of the rain on Saturday.
"Even with the rain on Saturday night, it was one of the smoother festivals."
Michelli also thanked everyone who was involved in the clean up.
In other matters, a motion to remove a fire department volunteer as well as an auxiliary police officer from their duties was passed by council, as they have not complied with the Drug Free Workplace program.
According to Fiscal Officer Amy Jackson, under the Workers' Compensation Policy, both random drug testing and one training session to raise drug awareness are required each year, and the two failed to meet the requirements of the training session.
Council agreed that the program is crucial and in order to ensure Workers' Compensation, all candidates for employment as well as volunteers must abide.
"For a drug free workplace, you have to enforce the rules, or just not have one," Michelli said.
Additionally, Police Chief David Norris announced to the board the resignation of Patrolman Chris Loudin. Norris said is a big loss for the department, as Loudin was an outstanding officer.
"He was really a great officer - did a great job and had a real great personality," Norris said. "He's going to Cambridge ... I really hate to see him go."
Michelli agreed Loudin served his community well, noting that he was "pleasant to everyone around him."
In other action Monday, the board:
* Accepted the low bid of $85,767 from Lexco Site Services for the Slope Creek Boat Ramp Project; the engineer's estimate was a total of $90,073.
* Accepted the basic bid of $85,586 and the alternate bid of $105,404 from Lexco Site Services for the Gravity Sewer Project. The basic bid's estimate was $90,410, while the alternate bid's estimate was totaled at $112,015.
* Approved a building permit for Juanita Noland of 460 East Main St. for porch additions.
Matz may be reached at kmatz@timesleaderonline.com
