Repairs and paving finished on Dover-Zoar Road atop Zoar Levee

A stretch of Dover-Zoar Road atop the Zoar Levee has finally received long-needed repairs and paving. The Village of Zoar has attempted to get help from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and from the county engineer’s office for at least two years, to no avail.

At the September Zoar Council meeting, council members remarked on the quality of the repairs. Council had hoped to receive financial assistance from the Army Corps and the county for the expensive paving, but in the end, the village decided to make the repairs at a cost of $32,00, according to Mayor Tom Klingaman

In other business the Planning Commission is reportedly working on a flyer to educate residents about two levies that will appear on the November ballot. The village will be asking residents to pass a renewal levy for police protection and a replacement levy for general operating costs.

According to Klingaman the replacement general operating levy will maintain the same millage, but taxes will be assessed according to current property values rather than the 2003 values that have been being used. If passed, Klingaman said it would cost the average homeowner in Zoar about $90 more per year.

The Planning Commission also discussed partnering with the Zoar Community Association, the Zoar United Church of Christ and the Zoar Wetland to host at least one event tied into the America 250-Ohio celebrations in 2026.

Safety Committee Chair David Gannon asked what could be done about the disposal of large animals that are hit by cars. Reportedly, a deer was recently struck on state Route 212 near Michael Lane. A responding county sheriff’s deputy dragged the deer off the road and into a grassy area. Gannon said he opposes leaving the animals to decompose. Klingaman said he will look into possible solutions.

Fiscal Officer Emily Hayes said she had contacted the Tuscarawas County Public Library about installing a Little Free Library in Zoar. According to Hayes the library places only two LFLs in the county each year, and Zoar will receive one in 2026. The LFL project places reading materials in outdoor kiosks and invites readers to borrow and return books for free. The county library covers all costs, including building, placing and maintaining the kiosk.

Council President Mark Gaynor reported he is looking into a possible grant to paint the Village Hall/Event Center. He also said he read in the Bargain Hunter that Mineral City received a grant for playground equipment and that he would like to explore something similar as the need for a playground has been brought up before by a resident.

Klingaman said he is working with the Canton Cars and Coffee organization to bring a car show to Zoar Saturday, Sept, 27 at 8 a.m. The event is a simple drive-in car show with no registration needed and no awards, but with a focus on socialization. Klingaman said food trucks will be on the site, which will be in the open field across Fifth Street from the Zoar United Church of Christ.

Council agreed to make a yearly donation of $250 to Lawrence Township to maintain its compost program.

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 council sessions are open to the public.