Meet the Candidates Night scheduled for Oct. 24

A Meet the Candidates Night is scheduled in Port Washington for Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m. The event will be held at the Delaware Fire Station but is hosted by the Port Washington Historical Society.

Mike Conaway and Kathy Sullivan from the PWHS attended the Oct. 3 meeting of village council to request the event take place. Sullivan asked if someone from council could explain the details of Ohio Issue 1 that evening.

The representatives of the historical society also asked council to remove village property being stored on the second floor of the PWHS building at 109 E. Main St. to facilitate work that needs to be done. Additionally, it was reported a Masonic Lodge meeting will be held on the third floor of the building on Oct. 26, but the time was unknown.

Conaway said he was having difficulty contacting someone who buried a time capsule in the village. Mayor Tom Gardner offered to assist Conaway.

Help from the historical society was offered in sprucing up the village including painting the vault at the cemetery along with several signs around town.

Income tax collection up

Income tax administrator Donna Meek distributed a third-quarter municipal income tax report, noting the total collected for July through September is $29,896.61. Meek said in 2022 during the same quarter $25,179.85 was generated.

Meek also reported the total collected to date for 2023 is $115,601.69, with outstanding taxes totaling $4,664.

Council member Nathan Penrod asked what steps are taken to collect taxes from residents who fail to file or pay on time. Meek said several letters are sent, with the police department delivering notices to delinquent filers. If multiple collection attempts fail, the matter is taken to court.

Reports to council

Street supervisor Rick Swiger is replacing and repainting signs in the village as needed. According to Swiger, some signs need to be produced by the county engineer’s office while others are being repainted by Bates Metal Products.

In his mayor’s report, Gardner said Tory Gibbs is moving forward with construction at one of several parcels of land he purchased at the end of North High Street. The village will be responsible for extending North High Street to the area of new construction.

In zoning Penrod reported issuing a high grass mowing violation to the owner of a rental property. Gardner thought the property was being mowed twice a month but will contact the owner to resolve the issue.

Penrod also reported a previous request to receive monthly police activity reports indicating the number of traffic stops made, clean-up notices sent and similar activity. Penrod said he is not interested in seeing details with names and hours worked, just a simple report of monthly activity.

Council member John Little said several street lights are not working and a call will be made to AEP to repair or replace the lights.

Council member Ed Steffek suggested the village distribute information concerning the village cemetery and general expense levies that will appear on the November ballot. Gardner said he had already discussed the matter with fiscal officer Darissa Lute, and an informational levy sheet will be prepared.

Council also heard the following:

—A permit for a shed was issued for 209 S. Saint Clairsville St.

—The Delaware Fire Station will be open for trick or treat on Oct. 31 from 5:30-7 p.m.

—A breakfast at the fire department is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 14. If the event is canceled, it will be posted on the fire department’s Facebook page.

Port Washington Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in Village Hall. All meetings are open to the public.