Bolivar Council hosts first meeting in new location

Bolivar Council passed a resolution at the Jan. 2 meeting to execute an agreement for sale of real estate with the Tuscarawas Valley Local School District to purchase the property of the former Tuscarawas Valley Intermediate School on Park Street.

Council passed an ordinance to enter into a contract with the Village of Zoar to provide police services to the village through Dec. 31, 2026, at $40 per hour.

The council passed a resolution to proceed with placing a 1.5 mill, five-year levy on the May ballot for providing and maintaining equipment and permanent personnel for the operation of the police department and submitting the request to the county board of elections.

Council also did the following:

—Passed a resolution authorizing a jail services agreement with the county sheriff’s office.

—Adopted an ordinance, as an emergency, to restrict usage and operation of village law enforcement and emergency vehicles. No unauthorized individual may operate the vehicles.

—Held the second reading of an ordinance authorizing disposal or salvage of unneeded, obsolete or unfit personal property belonging to the village with no remaining value.

—Held the second reading of an ordinance to grant Bolivar Main Street Association consent to place and maintain an electric utility pole at the corner of Cherry Street and Sassafras Alley.

—Heard from a resident that time sheets should be approved by Mayor Robert Lloyd, which is the process, and council was asked what hours employees work so residents can contact them if necessary.

—Heard a tree owned by the village is on a resident’s property, and branches are falling and it is difficult for the resident to clean up the debris. Rod Tusing, street superintendent, said he is working to identify every village-owned tree and maintain them.

—Learned a list of streets to consider for paving is being developed. Call Village Hall or attend a committee meeting if there is a street a resident would like paved.

—Suggested flashing lights be placed at the crosswalk of the former Intermediate School as the buses pick up students at the site.

—Heard webmaster will send a winter newsletter from Homeland Security regarding basic disaster supplies and kit/winter kit checklist for vehicles.

—Passed a resolution authorizing the temporary closing and removal of street parking for special events held in the village.

—Approved $20,648 to PEP for annual insurance premium and agreed to purchase bicentennial banners at a cost of $950.

—Gave approval to purchase limestone materials to begin repairs to Lovers’ Alley at a cost of $700.

Other information

Will Bellinger was named president pro tempore of council for 2025.

Council appointed the following committees: Will Bellinger, Steve Pancoe and Melissa Conley to finance; Pancoe, Bellinger and Conley to safety; Tim White, Loretta Diveley and Dan Oberlin to street and alley; and Oberlin, Diveley and White to parks and recreation. The first name listed will serve as chairman.

Council appointed Rod Tusing, street superintendent; Chuck Williams, village administrator and water operator; and Heather Lecce, tax administrator.

Police responded to 47 calls in December.

The next meeting will be Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. at the new location at 121 Canal St. SE, Bolivar, the former American Legion building.