BELLAIRE — Residents will pay 25 cents more per pickup on their garbage utility bills beginning in September.

Bellaire Village Council unanimously approved the rate increase during Thursday’s evening meeting. It was passed as an emergency ordinance.

Fiscal Officer Marla Krupnik said the 25 cents is per pickup. Following the meeting, she said the rate increase is due to a rise in fuel surcharge.

Solicitor Michael Shaheen requested an executive session to discuss litigation. No action was taken following the 30-minute, closed-door session.

Meanwhile, Shaheen noted that he had met with Belmont County Eastern Division Judge David Trouten regarding a cooperative arrangement to schedule cases that leave mayor’s court and go to county court.

“I just wanted to publicly thank him for taking the time to work through that with us,” Shaheen added.

In other matters, Krupnik announced Pultney Township recently applied for grant funding through the Ohio Department of Transportation for a $50,000 grant to replace signage. Though the village was not eligible to apply for the funds, the township included it on its behalf.

“There’s a clause that a township may apply for signs if it joins another village, so he (Anello “Smoker” Liberate) included us in on the signs,” she said.

The village will receive $23,000 of that grant to replace a number of stop signs, one-way signs, no parking and other traffic signage.

At the beginning of the meeting, a couple residents spoke to council. Cherri Miller told council of the success of the first-ever Bellaire Business Association Business Bash held this past weekend. The event included a car show, games, vendors and live music. Miller said 171 vehicles participated in the car show.

Through a 50/50 drawing, the group raised $1,442 for the Curtis family — victims of a house fire in Powhatan Point earlier this month. Three people — a father and two juveniles — were transported by medical helicopters to hospitals.

It was reported that the man later succumbed to his injuries. Miller said the two children remain in the hospital, where they are still recovering from severe burns.

Miller said the community has really come together to support the family.

Another resident, Jerry Zeno, inquired about a condemned home located next door to his own on Harrison Street. He said he is in the process of remodeling his own home and asked if the Belmont County land bank was considering the property next door for demolition. He expressed his interest in purchasing the property once the structure is razed.

Mayor Ed Marling said the village did not have the list of the five properties that are scheduled for demolition on hand for this round of funding. Zeno was asked to contact the village Monday to confirm whether the property is on the list; if it is not, it can be added.

Shaheen noted that when the structure is demolished by the landbank, the property will then be put out for bid, which is a state requirement.

Zeno said he understood. He said he plans to do what he can to bring the village back to its former glory.