BARNESVILLE — Jacob Hershberger took on a new role Tuesday evening, presiding over his first Barnesville Village Council meeting as the community’s new mayor.

Elected on Nov. 7, Hershberger already holds a prominent role in the community as CEO of Joe’s Tire — a business founded by his father, Roy, and family in 2003. He succeeds Dale Bunting, who did not seek reelection after nearly a decade as mayor and almost 30 years of service to the community as a councilman and in other roles.

After taking the oath of office, Hershberger had words of praise for Bunting and for the community as a whole.

“What an honor it is to serve your over the next four years and beyond,” he told a standing-room-only crowd, including many of his own family members. “… I would to thank Mayor Dale Bunting for the leadership and care and passion for this amazing community. … You have always kept the kids at the forefront of every decision. Our village is stronger and has blossomed under your leadership, and I am looking forward to continuing that great work that you and the previous elected officers have started.”

Also sworn in for her first term was Councilwoman Robyn Misner, co-owner of the Barnesville Dairy queen with her husband Jim. Solicitor Richard Myser administered the oath of office for them along with returning Councilman Terry McCort, who affirmed that he will continue to serve the village.

The first order of business after the new members and mayor became “official” was to approve the minutes of the Dec. 18 meeting. Misner, not having been a member at that time, abstained, as did Councilmen Brian Yarnall and Steve Hill, who were absent from that meeting. Myser said the minutes still stood as approved, since a majority of voting members had voiced approval.

Next on the agenda was the election of a new president of council. Tony Johnson was unanimously chosen for the honor, with Johnson abstaining from the vote.

Council also voted to pay $71,738.71 in monthly bills and heard several reports from department heads.

Village Administrator Roger Deal reminded the public that village crews will pick up and dispose of live Christmas trees that are left at the curb from now through Jan. 12.

Deal also discussed the community’s Sidewalk Loan Program, which provides residents with zero-interest loans to replace deteriorating sidewalks that run parallel to village streets. Deal said the village has assisted 39 residents so far, with about $22,000 in loans outstanding. He said five of those residents received loans in 2023.

“We have $75,000 in that pot, so I sure would like to see more people take advantage of that,” Deal said.

Hill questioned whether a crossing signal at the intersection of Main and Chestnut streets would be repaired soon, and Deal replied that the parts had been received and assembled and would be mounted on the pole today. He expects it to be operational “within days.”

Hershberger shared Mayor’s Court numbers for December, with $87 going to the state of Ohio, zero going to Belmont County and $213 going to the village.

The annual report indicates the state received $4,580.50 in 2023, while the county received $166.50 and the village $7,329.

Fire Chief Tim Hall asked for and received c council’s approval to add Breanna Flood to the fire department roster. Council also approved removing Tyler Hickman from fire and EMS and removing Kyle Kernon from the fire department, as one is moving from the area and the other has too many other commitments.

Yarnall made two motions, both of which were unanimously approved. First, he moved that council meeting agendas be placed on the village website the Froiday prior to each meeting. Second, he moved to eliminate the mayor’s parking spot from in front of the municipal building. Hershberger said he had no intention of using the spot, and Police Chief Rocky Sirianni said the action would allow officials to move a handicap parking space back to that position and open up a spot for first responders to use while making quick stops at the building.

Deal told council the Slope Creek Waterline Project is approaching completion. He said the contractor still has a few switches and electrical issues to address. The contractor will be on site Jan. 15-16 , and the new lines may be in use shortly thereafter.

Council unanimously approved a building permit for Adam Ackerman to demolish a house at 502 N. Chestnut Street. Also under land and buildings, Hill said the Belmont County Land Reutilization Corp., or land bank, has plans to evaluate eight houses in the village for potential demolition in 2024.

The next council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 16, a Tuesday rather than the usual Monday due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, at the municipal building on Arch Street.