Malvern council passes emergency ordinance to address street obstructions

Property owner Karen Reardon attended the Sept. 16 Malvern Village Council meeting with questions regarding the possible removal of trailers on some property.

Reardon owns property with trailers on Wicker Road and inquired about the proper procedure to have them removed.

Village Administrator Derik Kaltenbaugh said once a trailer is taken out, it cannot be put back as a single-wide trailer. It must have a foundation under it and be a double-wide. The current ones can be remodeled, however, as long as they aren’t removed.

Reardon mentioned storage units on the site, and council said the land would have to be zoned as business and not residential property. This is a zoning commission matter and not for council to decide.

Reardon brought up concerns about getting renters in Malvern, and Kaltenbaugh said with the oil and gas industry in the area, workers are always looking for places.

Kaltenbaugh told her she will not pay a water bill if she shuts the water off, as long as she calls and lets them know it has been shut off.

She also mentioned dirty water on her street.

“The water comes out of the plant as crystal clear as can be,” Kaltenbaugh said. “I drink from the fountain in the plant. When it goes through the pipes, it can get dirty running through the pipes.”

He noted the ongoing waterline projects they have planned, but said they need grants to afford them.

She also wanted to know where she can find ordinances, and council said they will be provided to her. They told her to come back for anything else she needs, and they will help her.

In an unrelated matter, Malvern Ordinance No. 13-2025 was approved and declared an emergency.

This concerns a trailer that has been sitting on Canton Street as a nuisance and blocking the view of traffic.

The village enacted this measure to prohibit the obstruction of public rights of way by vehicles or other objects when such obstructions pose safety risks or interfere with street upkeep.

The ordinance gives authority to Village Council, mayor, administrator or law enforcement officers to determine if an obstruction presents an immediate hazard and, if so, to order its removal without delay.

Initially, the village will cover the costs of removal but is empowered to bill the vehicle or object’s owner afterward. The law emphasizes transparency, noting that its passage followed the proper open-meeting requirements.

It is designated as an emergency ordinance, meaning it takes effect immediately to protect public health, safety and welfare by allowing the village to act quickly when obstructions or unsafe parking situations arise.

In other business, council:

— APPROVED a motion to modify Stephanie Good from seasonal to part time not to exceed 20 hours per week. This will allow her to work year-round, clean the water department and help with other needs.

— HEARD the EPA will be finished after Sept. 17 with the Perfect Products building. The village will have a clean building and can pursue Brownfield Remediation Grants to improve the property.

— HEARD council received a new quote for portable toilets but chose to stay with the current company because they get great service and are happy with the prices.