BARNESVILLE –Barnesville Fire Chief Tim Hall recently announced that a statewide burn ban was in effect through the end of November. Hall made the announcement during a Barnesville Village Council meeting Oct. 6, saying that no burning is permitted between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office usually enacts a burn ban during October and November due to elevated risk of wildfires.

Council President Tony Johnson noted that it was National Fire Prevention Week and he noticed that the Wheeling Fire Department had made efforts to raise awareness about the proper disposal of rechargeable lithium batteries like the ones used in common power tools.

Johnson said that the waste disposal company he works for has had five load fires this year caused by lithium batteries, and that J.B. Green Team holds a yearly collection for hazardous items.

Barnesville Mayor Jake Hershberger said that McGee Recycling on Watt Avenue would take those batteries as well.

Hall thanked Adam Ackerman, Village Administrator Roger Deal and Fiscal Officer Jeannie Hannahs for their help in getting a number of stormwater drainage issues around the firehouse fixed, noting that there were just a few things left to button up on that project.

Hall also announced call numbers for the month of September, saying the EMS answered 120 calls and performed three transports for WVU Medicine Barnesville Hospital, while the fire department was dispatched 21 times.

Hall and Barnesville Police Chief Rocky Sirianni said there had been no major issues during this year’s Pumpkin Festival. Deal thanked village crews for all their hard work to keep the village looking great during and after the annual event.

Deal said most village residents had recently received a letter from Ohio Valley Land Services, working on the behalf of Grenadier Energy, and that he had checked into the matter after seeing social media posts indicating that some thought it was a scam.

Deal said that the letters were, in fact, legitimate and that they were offering $7,000 per acre plus 20% royalties.

Councilman Les Tickhill said he had been in touch with Ohio Valley Land Services and they were looking to arrange a time and location to give village property owners an opportunity to sign leases.

A resident noted that the recent improvements made to Railroad Street as part of the Rails to Trails and Tunnel Project were nice, but that there was more traffic on the street as a result and that a lot of it was going too fast since the street was wider and smoother than before.

At Hershberger’s request, council approved allowing at least one food truck and a couple of refreshment stands to be set up in the E. Main Street parking lot during the upcoming Barnesville Spooktacular on Thursday, Oct. 30.

The village and the Barnesville Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting two Halloween events this year, with traditional Trick or Treat on Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 5:30-7 p.m. and the Spooktacular in downtown Barnesville on Oct. 30 from 5:30-7 p.m.

Hershberger announced Mayor’s Court figures for the month of September, saying the village had received $1,802, the state had received $620.50, and the county $22.50 for a total of $2,445. In other business, council approved paying bills in the amount of $760,922.79 and approved the September financial statements.