Bolivar seeks to fill the vacant seat on village council
Bolivar Village Council accepted the resignation of Zachary Nussbaumer as a council member during its November meeting. This leaves an immediate opening that the village wants to fill as quickly as possible. Because Nussbaumer resigned, the mayor and village council must appoint a new member to serve out the remainder of Nussbaumer’s term, which expires Dec. 31, 2027.
Interested parties should send letters of interest to the attention of Mayor Robert Lloyd, Bolivar Village Council, P.O. Box 117, by Nov. 27. Letters also may be left in the utility payments box outside Village Hall on Canal Street.
In reports to council, Village Administrator Chuck Williams said the village is now purchasing water from Tuscarawas County as was planned. He said fire hydrants will need to be flushed once it is certain all water lines are working properly and all village water is gone from the lines, which should be by the end of November. Residents should watch for hydrant flushing signs.
In a related matter, Lloyd said representatives from the Ohio Rural Community Assistance Program will go door to door to find out what type of water service lines each home has. They will inspect the lines if the homeowner gives them permission, or they can leave a survey for the resident to complete.
Reports to council
Loretta Dively, safety committee chair, said the police department responded to 54 calls in October and that the department will increase police presence and patrols by adding more work hours for auxiliary officers.
Tim White, street and alley committee chair, reported streetlight outages at 129 Bolivar St. and 672 Ladyne Ave. that will be addressed. He said residents who notice a streetlight out should contact Village Hall for assistance.
White also said the Bolivar Main Street Association has asked to place a power pole on the northeast corner of Sassafras Alley and Cherry Street for temporary meter-based power during the Strawberry Festival. It was determined BMSA does not need council’s approval to contact AEP about adding the pole.
Fiscal officer Maria App asked council to approve the disposal of a number of obsolete and nonworking office items that have been collecting both in and outside of Village Hall. App said old electronics will not be thrown away but will be taken to the Canton Recycling Center for proper disposal. Village Solicitor Stephan Babik will prepare an ordinance for a council vote on the matter at the December meeting.
App also asked council to consider approving a specific amount of money the mayor will be authorized to spend in emergencies or for day-to-day issues without seeking council approval in advance. Babik will draw up legislation once council determines the parameters for mayoral spending.
Voting on expenses
Council approved the following expenses:
—Up to $500 of remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds for salt, cleaning and winterizing the dump truck. According to App, this will leave a little over $700 in funds that must be used by the end of the year.
—$1,596 for a new mayor’s desk to include delivery, tax and additional items.
—Up to $1,815 to remodel the restroom at Village Hall with new drywall, a sink and other fixtures.
—$2,225 for tree removal.
Legislation
Council approved an ordinance allowing the village to contract with the Tuscarawas County Public Defender’s Office Commission for indigent defense services in 2025.
Council heard the second reading of a resolution approving an annual contract with Babik for legal services in 2025 at a cost of $875 per month.
Council also heard the second reading of an ordinance approving a two-year contract with Fitzpatrick, Zimmerman and Rose LPA as police prosecutor at a rate of $90 per hour.
Bolivar Council meets the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the former American Legion Hall, 121 Canal St. SE. All meetings are open to the public.
