Trending
BARNESVILLE -- Village Council on Monday decided to table awarding the bid for demolition of its buildings along North Chestnut Street.
At the April 24 meeting, Village Administrator Roger Deal had announced that eight bids had been received for the demolition of three village-owned buildings for the purpose of expanding parking for the downtown district. The bids ranged from $88,000 to $594,000.
At that time, Deal said he was not yet ready to make a recommendation on the matter. A work session was held prior to the scheduled council meeting Monday to discuss the matter, but that session failed to yield a final decision.
"We need a little more time," Deal said.
Mayor Dale Bunting said village leaders need to verify with Village Solicitor Adam Myser, who was absent from Monday's meeting, what their options are at this juncture.
Councilman Steven Hill agreed with the decision to table the matter, saying, "We want to do the right thing."
Deal also updated council on the Slope Creek Waterline Project, saying crews are at a standstill. They are holding off on bringing in the pump house due to difficulty in acquiring a part.
Deal confirmed Councilman Tim McKelvey's understanding that there isn't much left to do once the needed parts and the pump house are brought in and hooked up.
Councilman Tony Johnson pointed out what a "monumental" project the Slope Creek Waterline had been for the village and everyone involved.
Deal also said he is beginning the process required for the village to sell timber from the Slope Creek area.
Police Chief Rocky Sirianni informed those present that Dixie, the village's retired K-9 officer, died last week.
Sirianni also told council that he is still having trouble finding qualified candidates to fill two empty roster spots in his department and asked council members if they would entertain the idea of starting a program where the village would reimburse a cadet's police academy expenses upon completion of their training if they agreed to remain with Barnesville's department for a minimum of two years.
Several council members said they would be in favor of that, and Sirianni said he would get with Myser to work on the needed documents.
Assistant Fire Chief Harvey Giffin reported call totals for the month of April, saying the fire department had responded to nine calls to service while the EMS Department had answered 86 911 calls and completed eight transports for Barnesville Hospital.
Council approved donating $500 to the fire department's annual Youth Fishing Tournament, which will be held at Rotary Lake in Memorial Park on June 10.
Resident Matthew Thompson addressed council, asking why there are no water fountains or other public access to water in the village.
Bunting said there are a number of public fountains and other access available at Memorial Park, but the lack of access elsewhere in the village was not addressed.
Council approved paying bills in the amount of $1.105 million dollars, with Johnson noting that over $1 million of that was for the Slope Creek Waterline project. That is paid with grant money received from various agencies.
Council also approved bulding permits for James Grear and Morland Properties to install a new metal roof at 510 Leggett Ave., for Jacob Hershberger to erect a new pole barn at 243 S. Gardner St., and for ML Groups LLC and Jake Hershberger to demolish a house and garage at 255 S. Broadway Street.
Fiscal Officer Jeannie Hannahs scheduled a Finance Committee meeting for 3:30 p.m. May 17 in council chambers.
Barnesville's next council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. May 22 in the Municipal Building on Arch Street.