New council members begin terms in Zoar

At the January meeting of Zoar Village Council, Mayor Tom Klingaman administered the oath of office to Gail Garbrandt, Gregory Fach and Mark Welty. All three were elected in November to serve four-year terms.

Prior to the regular monthly meeting council held its annual organizational meeting, during which Mark Gaynor was elected to serve as president pro tem through Dec. 31, 2026.

Fiscal Officer Emily Hayes read the committees and appointments for the year and council voted to accept all.

During the first monthly meeting of the new year, Hayes asked for permission to pay bills that are due in between monthly meetings as they come in. Garbrandt asked if a limit should be added, such as “up to $3,000.” After discussing the matter, council voted to allow payment of the bills as requested without a qualifier attached.

As there is still a council seat open, Garbrandt nominated Pat Rombach to the position, with a term to end in 2029. Discussion followed, with Gaynor asking that other nominations be allowed prior to the February meeting.

Council agreed to take nominations until Feb. 6, with Emily Hayes, fiscal officer, agreeing to create and post a notice calling for nominations and outlining the requirements.

It was also mentioned that a Public Relations Commission needs to be established, with Village Solicitor Doug Frautschy saying he will look into the guidelines.

Reports to council

Regarding the streets committee, Welty informed council he received a question from former mayor Scott Gordon regarding Wyatt Hayes’s availability for snow removal or other street maintenance jobs considering he already has a full-time job.

Gaynor addressed the issue, stating that Hayes, who volunteers his time, is the first person to be considered for snow plowing and perhaps other road maintenance issues and said there are plenty of backups, including Lawrence Township. According to Gaynor, township trustees have agreed to help as needed for snow plowing.

Gaynor reported an update with the Town Hall/Event Center, saying council had received a donation of $15,000 from Scott and Marilyn Gordon to be used for improvements. He asked for permission to spend $5,850 on acoustic panels for sound dampening in the meeting room.

Council approved the expenditure for 16 wall and ceiling panels from Pro A/V Ohio, with the wall panels to feature old Zoar photos at no extra charge.

Gaynor went on to report about the new park at the site of the old baseball field at the end of First Street. Playground equipment has already been installed. Gaynor would like to add a pavilion, saying he will apply for a grant, but if the village can put $4,000 to $5,000 toward the pavilion, it will help secure a grant.

In legislation, council heard the second reading of an ordinance setting permanent appropriations for 2025.

Zoar Village Council meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Zoar Village Hall and Event Center meeting room at 190 Fifth St. All meetings are open to the public.