Millersburg residents petition council to save downtown trees

The Village of Millersburg Council met Monday, Sept. 22 and discussed the following:

—The design and review board will meet Oct. 1 to review a COA for signage at Millersburg Christian Church.

—Planning and zoning also will meet Oct. 1 to review a variance application for excess square footage for the Millersburg Christian Church signage.

—A public hearing will be held Oct. 13 at 6:45 p.m. for the Jordan Properties rezoning.

—Quicksall prepared its updated service agreement for the downtown sidewalk project. Survey and design work should take place soon, with the project bidding taking place early spring of next year, according to the schedule in the engineering proposal.

—The village received an updated cost estimate for the Wooster Road waterline project in the applications. The cost did not change much from the previous estimate.

—Legislation began for the sale of items no longer needed. Once passed, the village will open the auction on GovDeals.

—Council approved the closing of North and South Monroe and Court streets for the Antique Festival Oct. 4-5.

—Mayor Kelly Hoffee said several emails had been received from residents and business owners urging council to preserve the downtown trees. In addition, a number of community members attended the meeting to express the same concern. Taylor Reining, Tracy Van Keuren and Arlie Rodhe spoke to council about the importance of trees in the downtown. Council also was presented with a petition that had been circulated among local merchants, signed in support of retaining the trees in the downtown district. Council also engaged in discussion regarding which species of trees would be most suitable and beneficial for the downtown area.

—Village-wide trick or treat will be Saturday, Oct. 25 from 4-6 p.m.

—The Village of Millersburg Council will hold a special meeting Oct. 6 at 4:30 p.m. to have a second reading of Resolution 2025-25 and to consider the appointment of a public employee or official.