T-L File Photo People visit tents where contestants in the second annual Copper Cup Chili Cook Off in October 2024 provide samples of a variety of recipes. The event benefited the Barnesville State Theatre Company’s restoration efforts, and it returns to the village this fall on Oct. 25.

BARNESVILLE — Alcoholic beverages will be permitted outdoors for a pair of village events after Mayor Jake Hershberger broke a 3-3 council vote on the matter during a recent meeting.

Susan Lapham, owner of the Blue Moon Cafe on West Main Street, and Barnesville Area Chamber of Commerce Director Jill Hissom addressed council Aug. 11, asking that outdoor alcohol restrictions be loosened for activities being planned for Oct. 25.

Lapham is planning the annual Copper Cup Chili Cook Off to benefit the Barnesville State Theatre Company’s restoration efforts, while Hissom and the chamber are planning a corn hole tournament to help fund the expansion of the Christmas in the Park holiday display. Both made the case that those events would benefit if patrons were permitted to carry alcoholic beverages in a restricted area, primarily consisting of the village-owned West Main Street Parking Lot, which is adjacent to the Blue Moon Cafe’s Beer Garden.

During an Aug. 25 meeting, Lapham followed up with council, saying that she had checked with both her insurance company and the Ohio Department of Liquor Control and both had said she was good to go for the events if the village granted permission.

Lapham said they would only be selling alcoholic beverages inside the bar and that they would block off and monitor the permitted area to ensure compliance.

In response to questions about a proposed ticket system to limit the number of drinks per customer, Lapham said she didn’t feel that would be enforceable since the establishment would be open for normal business during the events and that they were not going to be selling drinks outside.

She said she liked the idea of having special cups printed for the event to help with enforcement after that was suggested by Councilman Les Tickhill, and she also noted that her employees are trained to recognize when it is time to cut somebody off.

Police Chief Rocky Sirianni said he did not see any issue with the proposal, while Village Solicitor Richard Myser said he had reviewed the paperwork submitted by Lapham and that everything was in order if council wished to grant permission.

Councilman Tim McKelvey reminded council that the events would benefit two worthwhile community causes, but Councilwoman Robyn Misner asked what they would do should the Main Street Barrel House or another business make a similar request.

McKelvey made a motion to allow it for one day, and Tickhill seconded the motion, saying, “As a test.”

When Councilman Brad Hudson said he preferred the idea of having a ticket system in place Lapham responded, “I just don’t see that people will be getting drunk in the parking lot,” noting that it is being planned as a family event.

Hudson joined McKelvey and Tickhill in voting “yes” for the proposal, while Council President Tony Johnson, Councilman Terry McCort and Misner voted “no,” leaving the measure in a 3-3 tie.

Hershberger broke the tie.

“I’m going to go with yes,” he said. “I would like to try it and see.”

Meanwhile, Village Administrator Roger Deal opened two bids for gas and oil leasing rights for roughly 600 acres of village-owned property.

Deal announced that Gulfport Appalachia had submitted a bid offering an $8,250 per acre bonus plus 20% royalties for five years with an option for a five-year extension. The second bid, which was submitted by Grenadier Energy, included a $7,000 per acre bonus with 20% royalties.

No final decision was rendered, as after a brief discussion the proposed leases were turned over to Myser for review, with both Hershberger and McCort stressing the importance that village property owners be able to lease their gas and oil rights as well and benefit from the development.

Deal also informed council that crews were in the process of taking down the village veteran banners that were put up this spring so that they could start decorating the downtown for the Pumpkin Festival, noting that the veteran banners would go back up in the spring.

Council also passed a resolution at Deal’s request authorizing him to apply for a street paving and improvement grant through the Ohio Public Works Commission for 2026.

Denise Kozak addressed council saying that she owned a number of rental properties in the village and requested that the village do a better job enforcing its property maintenance ordinances, noting that there were a number of “eyesore” properties in the Gardner Avenue neighborhood that needed to be cleaned up.

She said she was in the process of purchasing one condemned property in the village to develop it and that she would be willing to purchase others if the village would get other property owners to “clean up their crap.”

She said that she had already helped a number of people get rid of mattresses and other junk and suggested an additional community cleanup day that included a pickup service since many don’t have the means to transport their unwanted items.

In other business, council approved paying bills in the amount of $86,631.89, approved creating a project fund for the Barnesville North Waterline Extension Project, and approved amending the annual budget appropriations to account for the design of that project.

Council also agreed to move the Sept. 22 council meeting to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, in the Municipal Building on Arch Street so village officials can attend the opening of the Eyes of Freedom Memorial at Barnesville Middle School.