New Hartville council members take office, approve early actions

The Jan. 12 meeting of Hartville Village Council was the first for new members Matt Kadas and Chris Ramsburg. The first motion they voted on was acceptance of the meeting agenda, followed by the election of Councilman James Sullivan as president pro tem.

Mayor Cynthia Billings reminded council that Village Hall will be closed Jan. 19 in observance of Martin Luther King Day.

The mayor reported she would like to appoint Scott Goodspeed to a vacant seat on the Board of Public Affairs, which oversees operation of the wastewater treatment plant. Council voted to approve the appointment. Council member Monica Goodspeed abstained.

Sullivan, chairman of the Planning Commission, reported the commission recommended council approval of replats of three outlots. Council voted to accept the recommendations.

Billings reported the Board of Zoning Appeals, at its Dec. 23 meeting, recommended approval of variances on lot width, cul-de-sac length and block length in the Danbury Glen Estates allotment. Council voted to approve the recommendation.

Street Commissioner Anthony Nichols presented a request to purchase a truck to replace snow and ice trucks. The purchase was included in the approved budget. Council voted to direct the fiscal officer to prepare a purchase order for the truck.

Sullivan said the consultant for the electric aggregation program will attend the next council meeting to discuss bids.

Police Chief Kevin Moore presented his report, noting the police department completed its Secret Santa program with a generous donation from an anonymous source, providing funds to distribute in the community.

Village Engineer Samer Awadallah presented his report.

Council passed two pieces of legislation by emergency: a resolution authorizing the mayor to contract with the Stark County Public Defender Commission to provide legal representation to indigent individuals for cases under village ordinances in 2026, and an ordinance approving a contract with Verdantas for engineering services for the period Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2027.

Councilman Tim Hayden presented a report on the strategic plan.

Mayor Billings offered the invocation.

The next regular meeting of Hartville Village Council will be held in person Monday, Jan. 26, at 6:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 202 W. Maple St. The meeting will also be live-streamed on Facebook and may be viewed on the village’s Facebook page at facebook.com/VillageofHartville.