Millersburg Council discusses infrastructure projects

Editor's note: This story was updated to reflect incomplete information.

Millersburg Village Council met March 9 and discussed the following:

—During the Jan. 26 council meeting, council voted 4-2 against a proposed marijuana dispensary. Because of that vote, the village's solicitor drew up an ordinance prohibiting adult-use cannabis and medical marijuana cultivators, processors, dispensaries and related operators within the Village of Millersburg. The third reading of that ordinance was during the March 9 meeting. The solicitor was there to answer any questions council members had. Councilman Ryan Hershberger asked the solicitor if a dispensary goes back on the ballot and the people of the Village of Millersburg vote for it, how would that affect this ordinance? The solicitor said it would depend on the language on the ballot, but ordinances can be changed. Council members Bob Shoemaker, Hershberger and Andrea Kellogg then voted against the ordinance, and council members Tom Vaughn, Andy Zollars and Brent Hofstetter voted for it, leaving a 3-3 tie. Mayor Kelly Hoffee broke the tie by voting for the ordinance. Hoffee said her reasoning was the voters of the Village of Millersburg made their position clear this past November by voting against allowing a dispensary within the village limits. She said as a representative of the people, it's her responsibility to respect and uphold the will of the voters.

—The planning and zoning board met March 4 and recommended proceeding with preliminary design for a proposed lot split and rezoning of 1.24 acres at 898 E. Jackson Extension.

—Village Administrator Nate Troyer met with MJK Electrical Engineering Feb. 24. MJK is working on underground electrical plans to include with the Downtown Sidewalk Project. The village is still on schedule for a late spring bid date.

—Troyer attended the United Way Holmes County Housing Coalition meeting, a good start to what the village is hoping is a successful program.

—Pathmaster is planning on attending the March 23 council meeting to discuss the data collected so far, as well as the adaptive module capabilities of the downtown smart street light system. It also will discuss crosswalk/lighting/safety for the downtown crosswalks.

—The fiber was installed from the pole to the server rack for the new phone system at Village Hall. The village is awaiting the next steps.

—The village followed up with Jenna Brumme on the possible stage awning project. She will begin the design process and report back as it progresses.

—Jason Troyer with Holmes County EMA will attend the April 13 council meeting to discuss the Hazard Mitigation Plan update and adoption process.

—The property/liability insurance renewal for the Village of Millersburg went up 5%.

—The planning and zoning board will meet April 1.

—The village is working on a residential infrastructure grant to help fund the remainder of the Wooster Road waterline project's phase one.

—The health department has grants that could potentially help the village install seating near the new playground equipment at Airport Park, as well as playground-certified mulch around the playground equipment at Clay Street Park.

—The village thanked Millersburg American Legion for the new Ohio flag at Village Hall.

—The village has ordered door hangers to notify residents who leave their trash cans out by the curb for a lengthy period of time about what the ordinance states concerning trash cans.

—Council members Bob Shoemaker, Andrea Kellogg and Ryan Hershberger are forming a committee to hold some festivities on the Fourth of July. If anyone is interested in joining that committee, contact the village offices.