BARNESVILLE — Fire Chief Tim Hall reported on the success of Barnesvillle’s first Community Safety Day while council voted to adjust uniform and clothing allowances for village employees last week.

Hall told those assembled for the scheduled meeting of village council that he felt the Community Safety Day, held Oct. 19, was a success and that over 60 families had signed in as they attended the event that was put on by the Barnesville fire EMS and police departments to promote a safer community. Hall said around 90 smoke detectors were given away along with a number of fire extinguishers and fire escape ladders.

Hall expressed his appreciation to the many Barnesville organizations and businesses that donated items or otherwise sponsored the event, including Barnesville Exempted Village School District, WesBanco, Skinner’s Insurance, Kemp Insurance, Joe’s Tires, Village Hardware, Do It Best Hardware, Barnesville Kiwanis, Artworks, Save A Lot, J-Mo’s Meats, Convenient and the village of Barnesville.

“It was a good day, and we’d like to possibly make that an annual event. It seemed to be worthwhile, and everybody seemed to enjoy it,” said Hall.

Hall added that organizers had a number of smoke detectors left over and that they would be given away to residents who need them until they are gone.

Village Administrator Roger Deal informed council that village employees in the water and street departments are given an annual allowance of $175 to purchase boots and clothing to wear while on the job, adding that the allowance had not been increased since 2008.

Deal noted, “A pair of good boots will cost you that much. They’re very expensive, and these guys need to have those. I think a fair number is $300 if not $400.”

Deal said he believes there are 17 employees who receive the allowance.

Councilman Tony Johnson asked if the employees were required to show proof of what the money had been spent on and Deal said they were not.

Hall said EMS crew members receive a $100 uniform allowance if they work 188 hours annually, but he proposed that those working 376 or more hours get an additional $100.

Hall noted that EMS workers are required to turn in receipts for the clothing they purchase, and Fiscal Officer Vicki Magers said police officers have a $400 clothing allowance, but they turn in receipts also.

After some discussion, council voted to raise the annual clothing allowance to $400 for water and street department employees and to add $100 for EMS crew members working 376 hours or more annually.

In other business, council approved the replacement of fencing around the T-ball fields at Memorial Park with a new vinyl coated fence from Seven Springs Fencing for $19,802.

Members also approved paying bills in the amount of $100,588.89 and approved a building permit for the proprietors of The Main Street Barrel House at 137 E. Main St. to put new boards on the front of the building.