Council looking at fix for stormwater issue

Bolivar Mayor Robert Lloyd told village council at its Feb. 1 meeting that he is looking into solutions for an ongoing storm drain issue on Fort Laurens Road near Parkview Drive. Lloyd reported having met with representatives of the Tuscarawas Soil and Water Conservancy District, who offered some recommendations. Lloyd also is going to meet with an excavator for some recommendations to keep stormwater from pooling at the bottom of the pipe and washing the dirt down to the Tuscarawas River.

Continuing with his mayor’s report, Lloyd said finance committee members have been investigating the cost of obtaining another police cruiser and considering whether to purchase or lease.

Additionally, Lloyd said he had applied for a grant from the Ohio Mid-East Governments Association he hopes will cover about 5,500 feet of water lines that need to be replaced in the village.

Reports to council

Will Bellinger, finance chair, said fiscal officer Maria App and assistant fiscal officer Patty Smith are obtaining estimates from IT companies as the current contract will end in March.

Loretta Dively, safety committee chair, said a flashing light has been ordered for the intersection at Park and Water streets due to reports of drivers not stopping at the stop sign. Dively also asked council to bring auxiliary police officer Robert Sterling as a part-time officer while officer Eric Minor recovers from knee surgery. Council approved the change immediately effective by voice vote.

Tim White, street and alley chair, said the committee recently discussed a number of potential improvements including addressing parking during the Strawberry Festival, repairs needed for sidewalks on Poplar Street and Park Avenue, and possibly installing a fire signal at the intersection of Park and Water streets. White said any movement on that matter would require discussions with the fire department and Ohio Department of Transportation because Park Avenue is a state route.

White also said further discussion took place regarding the need to find funding to replace old water pipes that are too small with larger pipes.

In other matters

Council member Dan Oberlin said he believes the village needs to hire a second street employee to help Street Superintendent Levi Kaser.

It was reported that tires were purchased for the village Bobcat at a cost of $652.

Council asked village solicitor Steve Babik to propose granting an easement to the new owners of a property where the “Welcome to Bolivar” sign has been in place for more than 21 years.

Resident Chris Berens said the Bolivar Lions Club donated a bench to the small park where the Bolivar LoveTusc art sculpture is located. The bench is made from recycled plastic bags and will be put in place at a later date.

Berens also expressed a desire for greater policing due to people speeding and running through stop signs, particularly near the Hennis Care Center and around Beuchler Avenue. She also expressed concern about garbage trucks, school buses and other vehicles not observing speed limits.

Courtney Wallace, branch supervisor of the Bolivar Library, said there will be a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the library’s current location in June. Wallace said the library had 20,481 visitors last year and served 54,807 items.

Legislation

Council passed an emergency resolution identifying the fiscal officer, village administrator and council president as authorized signers on behalf of the Village of Bolivar, Huntington Bank and STAR Ohio.

Council passed an emergency ordinance authorizing permanent appropriations for 2024 in the amount of $906,902.

Bolivar Council meets the first Thursday of each month at Village Hall. Council is looking into potentially moving the regular meetings to the old American Legion Hall due to increased participation by the public. If council meetings move to a bigger space, committee meetings will remain in Village Hall.