Street extension still has no completion date

Strasburg Village Council passed an ordinance, as an emergency, at the Aug. 1 meeting to hire Donna Reiger and Michelle Dickerhoof as crossing guards for the 2023-24 school year, effective immediately, with the start date and work hours determined by Police Chief Dave Warrick. The first day of school is Aug. 23.

A lengthy discussion was held concerning extension of Seventh Street Northwest, located between Williams Village and Dale Avenue. Louie Dreher, a resident, asked when the street will be completed. He said when he served on council 10 years ago, the competition of the street was discussed. Councilwoman Liz Dreher, chairman of the street and alley committee, was asked to set up a meeting with Mark/Brad Malcuit, developers, about the street.

Council did the following:

—Heard councilwoman Kathy Burrier has submitted applications for grants for tornado sirens to Reeves and Rosenberry foundations, prior to the deadline.

—Passed an ordinance regulating a sidewalk replacement and repair program. Nothing in section 55.01-55.015 shall be construed or require a property owner to reconstruct an existing sidewalk that is in good and safe condition, as determined by the village administrator. Property owners can qualify for assistance if proper information is filed with the village.

—Heard from Fire Chief Steve Laskey that the squad responded on July 30 to three calls in 90 minutes. If help is needed, a text goes to contact mutual aid.

—Learned the fire department has been awarded a FEMA grant for an apparatus bay exhaust system to allow for the exhaust fumes to be removed from the bays.

—Heard since September 2022 the fire department has been requested more often by neighboring departments. Previously to March 2022, only 1-2% of fire responses were to Dover. Now it is 8.1%, and New Philadelphia Fire has requested mutual aid. Since the plans have been implemented in the fire department, it has proven successful.

—Received a quote of $4,785 to place seven Norway spruce trees and eight arborvitaes on Haswell Circle. Mayor Steve Smith will visit all the residents on Haswell Circle to get their opinion.

—Heard from Louie Dreher that council has done exactly as promised using the 1/2 percent village income tax income funds to repair streets. Over $400,000 is collected annually for street repair.

—Passed an ordinance, by 4-2, to lower the speed limit from Second Street to Ninth Street on Wooster Avenue to 25 mph. Marty Zehnder and Dustin Briggs voted no.

—Adopted an ordinance rezoning Village Hall from B-3 (business) to S-1 (special).

Other information

The Strasburg American Legion will hold a chicken barbecue on Aug. 13 at 10 a.m. until sold out at Malcuit’s on South Wooster Avenue. The cost is $12. Legion members are grilling less chicken due to not selling out in July.

Community garage sales will be held through Aug. 14. No permits are needed.

The fire department responded to 19 calls for service July 18-31: 14 emergency calls; one each for mutual aid to Wayne Township, Bolivar and Beach City; four fire responses; and one mutual aid to Dover.

Council thanked Brightwood Door for donating a door frame and Aaron Minard of Choice One for donating his time to install the new front door.

The police responded to about 280 calls in July. Also, there were three drug overdoses, no drug fatalities and police recovered items stolen two years ago.

Council set the fall cleanup for Oct. 17.

The next council meeting will be held Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. at 224 N. Bodmer Ave.

The public meeting of Strasburg-Franklin Township Joint Economic Development District will meet at 5:30 p.m. prior to council to add territory into the JEDD. Campbell Oil has purchased 3.8 acres in Franklin Township, 4991 U.S. 250 NW, with a proposal to construct a Bellstore, service station and car wash.