Bolivar Council approves hiring new street superintendent

At its October meeting, Bolivar Council members voted to hire Rodney Tussing as street superintendent at a rate of $24 per hour for 32-40 hours per week. The position has been unfulfilled since the resignation of Levi Kaser earlier this year.

During the public comments portion of the meeting, resident Curtis Strauss asked when composting would end. He was informed it ends the week of Oct. 8, at which point leaf pickup will start and continue until the end of November or whenever the first snowfall occurs.

Resident Rick Wigfield said the resurfacing work on Dietrich Alley behind his home raised the pavement above his driveway and left it no longer connected to the alley. According to Wigfield, this caused stormwater to run into his garage. He is ready to put in a new driveway and asked if the village would cover the cost of the asphalt cutting and connection to the new drive. Mayor Robert Lloyd said he would see what can be done.

Resident Chris Berens asked why playground equipment at the site of the old elementary school is being removed if the village does not yet own it. Lloyd said he spoke with the school about it before he and the parks and recreation committee removed two badly damaged pieces of equipment. They left some of the equipment to be repaired.

Lloyd said Tusky Valley was going to remove all the playground equipment, but he asked them to leave it for the village to determine what to keep and what to eliminate.

Berens also told council the Bolivar Library is collecting donations of personal hygiene and other items to give to Friends of the Homeless, the county’s homeless shelter in New Philadelphia. Donations of items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant and paper products can be dropped off at the library until the end of October.

Reports to council

Lloyd asked residents to place leaves on the curb near the roadway where they are not obstructed by mailboxes or cars. He also asked residents to take down any basketball hoops that use the roadway so the pickup hoses don’t get damaged.

Lloyd issued a reminder that signs on curbs near the street are prohibited and urged residents to clean up after their dogs, which he said is especially problematic during leaf pickup operations.

Finance committee chair Will Bellinger said the committee recommends purchasing nine computers and updating software using remaining ARPA funds. By voice vote, council approved an expenditure of up to $9,500.

Bellinger also reported for the zoning committee, saying they will work with the new zoning inspector to revise and update zoning regulations. Anyone interested in reviewing the proposed changes as sections are completed can do so during committee meetings on the first Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in Village Hall. When finished, the entirety of the revisions will be presented to council for a vote.

Tim White, street and alley committee chair, said the committee reviewed a quote of $2,225 to remove four dead trees. He also recommended placing a lighted stop sign at the intersection of Bolivar Street and Park Avenue. He said some motorists on Park Avenue are slowing down but not stopping, and some may not see the sign.

Fiscal officer Maria App said the village website now has emergency-preparedness information including downloadable PDF documents and links to advice and services at www.ready.gov.

Council voted to hold trick or treat on Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5:30-7 p.m.

Legislation

Council passed the following measures:

—An emergency ordinance to transfer police officer Michael Frame from auxiliary to part-time employment.

—An emergency resolution allowing the application for grant funds from the state through the Ohio Mid-East Governments Association for the waterline project.

Bolivar Council meets the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the former American Legion Hall on Canal Street. All meetings are open to the public.