Photo Provided Village Solicitor Richard Myser, left, is shown swearing in Brad Hudson, center, and Tim McKelvey, right who were recently selected to fill two open council seats.

BARNESVILLE — Barnesville Village Council on Monday approved the purchase of a new vehicle for their police department after their K-9 unit was destroyed when a suspect crashed into it during a pursuit last month.

During the council meeting, Police Chief Rocky Sirianni expressed his relief that both K-9 Croc and Officer Edward Kubat escaped the February incident unharmed, but told council their K-9 unit was a total loss since it burned up after the crash.

Sirianni said that even before the incident, he had been contacted by a dealer who had two Ford Explorer interceptors in stock and after the crash he had started the process to acquire one of them since previously it had taken six to eight months to get a car.

“I wasn’t expecting them to deliver it, but it came last Monday,” laughed Sirianni, adding that the final price would be about $66,000 after it was fully outfitted and equipped as their new K-9 unit.

Mayor Jake Hershberger noted that the insurance claim was being processed and they were expecting a visit from an insurance adjuster to see how much they would be getting from the loss of the cruiser.

“You guys don’t know from one stop to another what you’re going to run into, and I’m thankful you guys do what you do,” said Council President Tony Johnson before council approved the purchase of the new vehicle.

Meanwhile Village Solicitor Richard Myser introduced a resolution needed for the village to accept a 1.5-acre parcel from CCU Coal and Construction, explaining this was in addition to the acreage that they gifted to the village two years ago at the end of Pultney Ave. where additional ballfields are being located.

Myser explained that once the land was transferred he could continue the process of annexing the parcels into the village.

After the resolution was approved, Hershberger thanked CCU Coal for the additional land while Johnson expressed his appreciation to former Mayor Dale Bunting for his efforts to get the acreage and T.J. Jefferis as well as everyone else who have volunteered their time, supplies, and equipment to get the new ballfields ready.

Hershberger explained that a recent meeting with Belmont County officials had resulted in the proposal of a new allocation formula to determine how state funding would be distributed to the cities, villages, and townships throughout the county.

He said that with the new formula Barnesville’s funding from the county would increase slightly since their population had not decreased as much in recent years as other municipalities.

Village Administrator Roger Deal spoke in favor of the new formula.

“We have fought for this for years to do this in a fair way,” he said. “It’s finally come around to the way it should be.”

Hershberger said that the county was seeking approval of the new system before it could be implemented and council voted in favor of the proposal.

Deal announced that they would begin sweeping streets throughout the village soon, reminded council that he was still searching for additional cemetery mowing crew, and also presented their annual Water Customer Confidence Report.

Council approved Deal’s request to join Warren Township and submit grant applications to J.B. Green Team for a total of four wheelchair accessible picnic tables and four park benches made out of recycled plastic. Deal said that the village would be responsible for a 20% match of $947.

Deal also announced that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources would soon be stocking the Rotary Lake at Barnesville Memorial Park with trout and they could expect the banks to be lined with people fishing as it had become a very popular occasion.

Council approved Deal’s request to increase the allowed meal expenses for employees while travelling on village business, with breakfast increased from $10 to $15, lunch from $15 to $25, and dinner from $25 to $35.

Deal also encouraged those present to vote in favor of Ohio Issue 2 during the May 6 election, explaining that its passage would renew the funding stream available to municipalities across the state through the Ohio Public Works Commission for another 10 years.

“The OPWC funding is what funds all of our paving projects as well as a lot of water and sewer projects. It has been really good for the Village of Barnesville as well as the entire area,” said Deal.

Mary Sidwell along with members of the Watt Center Board addressed council requesting assistance with paying for cleaning and painting the wood trim on the exterior of the Watt Center building, which is owned by the village.

After discussing the matter at some length, council agreed to pay half of the estimated $36,000 project which includes reglazing of the exterior windows as well as the repair and painting of the trim, opting to go with a local contractor despite the fact that their total estimate was roughly $10,000 over a second proposal.

Council also heard a proposal from Jon Thornton to have the tennis and pickleball courts at the park redone with concrete at a cost of nearly $80,000.

Deal informed Thornton that despite the significant discount offered to the village by local concrete contractor Rick Bostic, the proposal was over the competitive bid limit so additional considerations would be required before they could proceed.

In other business, council approved paying bills in the amount of $126,836.81 and approved a building setback ordinance variance for Barnesville Vision Center for their new building which will soon be constructed at 220 N. Chestnut.

They also approved building permits for William Smith to demolish a garage at 228 Henderson St., for Robyn Marshall to install a new metal roof at 124 E. Main St., for Erin Stout to construct a wheelchair ramp at 111 Washington St., and for Brad English to demo an old garage and build a new one at 321 W. Main St.

Barnesville Council’s next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, March 24 in the Municipal Building on Arch Street.