Grewel recognized by New Philadelphia mayor

Ray Grewel, superintendent of the city’s general services department, received a commendation from Mayor Joel Day during council’s April 10 meeting. Day said he was urged by general services employees to bestow the honor on Grewel for consistently going above and beyond what is asked of him, citing Grewel taking it upon himself to repair the flashing traffic lights on North Broadway Street near Tuscora Park as a recent example.

Council members Kelly Ricklic and Dean Holland and Service Director Ron McAbier joined in thanking Grewel for his work ethic and dedication to the city.

In his mayor’s report, Day said he recently met with school officials to discuss extending city services to the school district's new bus garage located outside of the city limits on state Route 416 in Goshen Township. Day said the school was advised to request annexing the property into the city. Otherwise, the water and sewer rates would be 2 1/2 times the rate of those in the city.

He said if council approves the extension, the city would provide the materials such as pipe and panels, but the school district would have to pay the cost for engineering design and construction. School officials said they would relay that information and get back to Day.

McAbier reported on continued efforts to clean up trees damaged by recent storms. He also said hot mix is now available for fixing potholes, which is a more permanent fix, and asked to be made aware of any streets that need such repairs.

McAbier said the sidewalk replacement program, which is being paid for with grant funding, has begun, but only one resident has sent in an application. He said applications will be accepted until May 31. After that, repairs cannot be guaranteed.

Additionally, McAbier said the city will undertake approximately $1.6 million worth of street paving in 2023 and gave council a list of streets included. “I know there's streets out there that could have been done. If we could do more, we would.”

Reports to council

Day said the planning commission will meet to discuss, among other matters, zoning of the former Times Reporter buildings on Wabash Avenue to see what needs to be done to accommodate the new owner’s use.

Holland delivered a safety bulletin, saying Dominion Energy employees will conduct inspections of its outdoor equipment over the next several weeks. All Dominion employees are required to carry a Dominion identification, which they must show if requested. If they do not, he encouraged residents and business owners to contact the police department and Dominion Energy.

Special/contact chair Stephen Rippeth said the committee met earlier on a request for liquor license renewal by the owner of Brickyard Dining Co. Rippeth asked for a voice vote to authorize the clerk of council to return the form to the Ohio liquor control board with it marked as needing no hearing. After council unanimously voted yes, a revote was requested by Holland, who had misunderstood the language of the request. In the revote all council members except Holland voted yes.

In the absence of council and park board chair Mitch Pace, McAbier said the city will place “No Fishing” signs at Tuscora Park two days prior to the Trout Derby on April 29.

Council comments

Ricklic reminded residents AEP is going to raise rates by approximately 27%. He advised going online to www.energychoice.ohio.gov and going to the Apples to Apples page to compare electric rates.

Legislation

Council heard the following:

—First reading of an ordinance to establish a credit memo clearing fund for the purpose of holding overpayment on utility bills and applying those credits back to the customers.

—Second reading of a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Michael Baker International Inc. to provide engineering and technical services to the city at Harry Clever Field.