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BELLAIRE — With the Nov. 3 election coming up, there are no shortage of political signs dotting grassy areas near busy intersections across the Ohio Valley.
In the village of Bellaire, police Chief Dick Flanagan said he wanted to warn candidates that the village only permits signs of a certain size.
The largest a sign can be is 4 feet wide by 3 feet tall. Some signs, however, have measured 4 feet by up to 8 feet, he said.
Flanagan said he wants candidates with oversized signs to remove them over the weekend at the lastest.
"I'd like to see those replaced. I really don't want to go out Monday and remove political signs, but I will. They have the whole weekend to have them replaced," he said during Thursday's Bellaire Village Council meeting.
Flanagan noted he was asked by Councilman Jerry Fisher to look into how soon signage could be installed before an election. He noted it was 30 days, which for this election would just be a day away.
In other matters, Village Council discussed again the $1,880 sale of a lot at 1363 Belmont St. to resident Joe Masciarelli, who expressed concern about whether the sale was being done legally by the city. Masciarelli was informed by attorney Brandon Lippert, who was filling in for village Law Director Michael Shaheen, that if he could give council an urban development plan for the property, then the village could sell to him the plot legally and forgo advertising for bids for it.
An executive session was held to discuss the legalities regarding the sale with Masciarelli. No action was taken afterward.
Meanwhile, council set the village's Trick or Treat session for 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31. Those who plan to hand out candy should turn on their porch light. There was a short discussion about whether the village should schedule a Trick of Treat session because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Councilwoman Elizabeth Dugmore said she believed it was up to individual residents decide whether to participate.
In other matters, Phillip Dysard, energy consultant with Palmer Energy Co. of Toledo, Ohio, talked about an electric government aggregation plan affiliated with the Ohio Municipal League Service Corporation. He said such a plan can help communities receive competitive rates.
Candidates for political office also visited council including Jason Garczyk, who is running for Belmont County recorder, and Cindi Henry, who is running for Belmont County auditor. Belmont County Commissioner J.P. Dutton also was in attendance. He is running for re-election to his commission seat.