Building razed to make way for cheesemaker sculpture

Kevin Kaser, Sugarcreek village administrator, told council on Monday the former building at 100 N. Broadway was demolished on June 3 to make way for the installation of a cheesemaker sculpture and additional green space. The building once housed a blacksmith shop, a variety type store and Sugarcreek Forge. Yoder Excavating of Baltic demolished the building at a cost of $12,582.

Tim Immel Construction of Sugarcreek will revamp two restrooms at the site into handicapped accessible. It will include a new roof, siding and restroom fixtures at a cost of $32,400. A fence also will be erected at the site.

In another matter council passed an amended ordinance, by emergency, to regulate recreational adult-use marijuana cannabis operation within the village corporation.

Council also did the following:

—Discussed demolishing dilapidated houses in the village. Mayor Walt Wilson said the process is quite lengthy.

—Gave approval for a 3% increase for insurance premiums from Medical Mutual. This is for village employees’ insurance coverage.

—Learned the water department received a $19,000 grant to purchase equipment.

—Agreed to keep the sidewalk program, as it currently is, a 50/50 process. The village will pay 50% of the cost, and property owners will pay 50%. Council agreed to consider each request for a sidewalk on a case-by-case basis for the present, and if needed, the lands, buildings, sidewalks and insurance committee will meet to discuss the program.

—Heard concerns from residents about an in-home business where trucks are parked at the residence and employees park their personal vehicles at the site to take the trucks to a job. Village solicitor Doug Frautschy said there are no customers going in and out at the property, and village zoning codes must say what you cannot do, and the zoning code does not indicate that. He said at some point they will cross the line to allow council to take action.

—Heard quotes are being gathered for pickleball courts to be constructed behind the fire station. The economic development, parks and recreation committee will meet June 17 at 6:30 p.m. prior to the regular meeting to discuss the project.

Other information

The Hometown Heroes banners are on display on Main Street.

The next meeting will be held June 17 at 7 p.m. at 410 S. Broadway in Sugarcreek.