New water and sewer super approved
A resolution appointing Nathan Kanouff as water and sewer superintendent was unanimously approved during the March 5 Strasburg Village Council meeting.
He has obtained all water/sewer licenses and certificates. He has been working in the superintendent capacity since Jan. 1 and will serve a six-month probationary period ending June 30. At that time the mayor and council have the option to appoint him as regular water/sewer superintendent. He has been working under former water/sewer superintendent and village administrator Ron Lambert, who retired Dec. 31 after 30 years of service to the village.
Pubic speaks
The revamping of baseball field two will be used for pony league at a cost of about $30,000 including a fence. Lewis Dreher, a resident, is disappointed the team can’t play on the high school boy’s field.
“Let the school replace the leaking roof on the village/bus garage. They were given the garage, but the kids can’t play on the high school field,” Dreher said.
Council also did the following:
—Heard an ordinance to appoint Mike Rosenberry as village administrator needed five yes votes to suspend the rules and then pass as an emergency. The vote was 3-3 and will receive a second reading. Jeff Smith, Kathy Burrier and Dustin Briggs voted no. Briggs said the three council members did not see Rosenberry’s resume and did not receive any information, like the situation with the village/bus garage. By a 3-3 vote with Metzger breaking the tie, the garage was given to the school. Mayor Bruce Metzger interviewed Matt Miller, street superintendent; Mike Durbin, who served many years on council and is village planning commission chairman; and Rosenberry. Metzger made the appointment.
—After a public hearing, council passed an ordinance to bring a 0.813 parcel of land at 9964 Ohio 21 NW, owned by Campbell Oil, into the Strasburg-Franklin Joint Economic Development District.
—Approved 2024 permanent appropriations of $11.8 million in all funds.
—Discussed placing two tornado sirens in the village. Burrier wrote two grants and received $34,500 from Reeves and $15,000 from Rosenberry Foundations. The sirens cost more than $36,000 each.
—Held the first reading of an amended ordinance declaring Wooster Avenue between Second Street Southwest and Fourth Street Southwest to be 25 mph. The remainder of Wooster Avenue between Fourth Street Southwest and Ninth Street Southwest will be changed from 25-35 mph.
—Learned the fire department received a State of Ohio fire training reimbursement of $3,910. The fire department responded to 28 EMS calls from Feb. 16 through March 4 and 10 fire responses (five mutual aid to Dover).
—Approved the purchase of a Kabota RTV-X1100 for the street department at a cost of $55,175 though state purchasing.
Other information
The police responded to 214 calls in February. They have responded to calls at 714 Studio Apartments on South Wooster 19 times including nine times in two weeks. There is currently an onsite property manager.
Police Chief Dave Warrick said the video camera system used by the police will no longer be supported by Watch Guard. New body and cruiser cameras will need to be purchased. He said he is getting quotes on the equipment.
A 2.3 mill, five-year levy for police protection services with a .08 mill increase will appear on the March 19 ballot. The current 1.5 mill, five-year levy, passed in 1994, will expire on Dec. 31, 2024, and no additional tax money will be collected for police unless the new levy is approved. If approved, it would generate about $180,000 per year.
The village and Franklin Township will hold an online auction April 15-25 through Wallick Auctions. Preview of items will be April 20 from 9-11 a.m.
People are prohibited from driving ATVs on village streets.
The next meeting will be March 19 at 6 p.m. at 224 N. Bodmer Ave.
