Leesville plans Memorial Day celebration

Leesville Mayor Mara Malterer reviewed plans for the village’s annual Memorial Day celebration during the May 12 Village Council meeting. The celebration will take place May 25.

Malterer said parade lineup will be in the parking lot of Faith Community Church, and the parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. With the village’s volunteer fire department assisting with road closures, the parade will follow state Route 212 to the village cemetery. All residents are encouraged to participate.

A flag-raising ceremony, with the Conotton Valley Marching Band, will be held at the cemetery. Resident and veteran Bob Romig will be the featured speaker. Guests will be dismissed afterward to spend the day with their families.

Sewer utility operator Jerry Bowser reported everything currently is working well at the wastewater plant. Councilman John Traxler said he obtained an estimate for gravel for the sewer plant, as discussed at the April meeting.

Traxler said the needed gravel was quoted at $38 per ton, making the total project about $2,600. He suggested council consider splitting the purchase over two years to reduce the cost this year. After discussion, council agreed to move forward with the full purchase and have the work completed.

Malterer also reported she had been approached by two residents with sewage in their basements and described a complicated situation made more difficult by miscommunications.

Because of the close proximity of the two homes, it initially was believed there was an issue with the village’s lines. After further investigation, officials determined the neighboring manholes were clear and the issue was caused by crushed pipe under the residences, which is not the village’s responsibility.

Malterer said during the work, the village incurred an $840 invoice. After discussion, council agreed to absorb the cost and said it was satisfied the resident had repaired the issue.

Because of the situation, Bowser advised that preventive maintenance inspections be performed each year. A plan for inspections was discussed. More information will be gathered to create a procedure and assist with future budgeting.

Malterer also reported a resident recently had a tree removed and would like council to consider reimbursement for the expense if the tree is determined to have been on village property. A discussion of tree maintenance followed, and Malterer suggested increasing appropriations in 2027 for the work.

In other business, council heard a utility billing report from Fiscal Officer Kaley Knapp and discussed action on delinquent accounts; learned 21 catch basins have been replaced with grant funding and that many more still need work; was advised the first mosquito spraying was scheduled for May 15 and also will be done in June, July and August; scheduled the annual cleanup day for July 25; discussed an issue with mowing a property on East Liberty Street and was advised Solicitor Luke Brand will pursue a resolution if necessary; heard receipts of $14,968.22; and approved expenses of $19,545.04.

The next meeting of Leesville Village Council will be held at 7 p.m. June 9 in village hall.