Smith appointed to fill vacant seat on Zoar Village Council

Zoar Mayor Tom Klingaman administered the oath of office to Mike Smith at the Feb. 10 meeting of Zoar Village Council. Smith was appointed by Klingaman following a recommendation of council. Smith will serve a term expiring Dec. 31, 2029.

Reports to council

Klingaman said the Planning Commission met recently and discussed several proposed projects, including grading and adding gravel to the south parking lot and continuing to improve the Village Hall and Event Center. He also said the cemetery could use tree trimming and gravel added to the driveway.

Jon Elsasser asked council to consider either repairing or replacing the historical marker at the cemetery.

Safety Committee Chair David Gannon said a “Reduced Speed Ahead” sign should be placed on state Route 212 East to alert drivers of the upcoming change from a 55 mph zone to a 35 mph zone. Klingaman said only the township or the Ohio Department of Transportation can place signs placed along the highway outside the village corporation limits.

Village Solicitor Doug Frautschy guided counsel in establishing a Public Records Commission that will meet approximately every six months. Those serving on the commission will be Frautschy, Klingaman, Fiscal Officer Emily Hayes and Council Member Gail Garbrandt.

Fire contract approved

Ann Ackerman, fiscal officer for Lawrence Township, presented one-year contract for fire and rescue service to be provided by the Bolivar Fire Department through arrangement with the township. Ackerman said Bolivar has already approved the contract.

The total budget for fire protection is $1,108,750, with Ackerman reporting that the fire department is carrying over $74,958 in unused funds from 2025. The fire department is asking for $813,792, which Ackerman said is only about $8,000 more than last year.

Council passed an ordinance by emergency to approve the contract.

Township power aggregation explained

Ackerman detailed how the township’s gas and electric aggregation programs work. She said residents voted to allow the township to offer aggregation programs and that, while all township residents are automatically enrolled, they may opt out at any time with no penalty. Ackerman also affirmed that the township receives nothing in return for offering the program.

When asked if the rates offered by the programs are the lowest, Ackerman stated that they can be, but aren’t necessarily the lowest. She recommended using the “apples to apples” online comparison tool offered by the state of Ohio at www.energychoice.ohio.gov.

In other matters

The village mowing contract was discussed when the matter of awarding the contract to Patrick Eddy arose. Garbrandt said the contract should be sent out for bids. Gaynor said council had done that several times in the past and Eddy always comes in the lowest. The reason, said Gaynor, is that Eddy donates a great deal of his time.

Council voted to award the 2026 contract to Patrick Eddy at a rate of $950 per month from April through October and then $500 for the month of November. The only dissenting vote came from Garbrandt.

Council discussed the need to move records from the old Town Hall basement to the new location. According to Hayes, a lock must be installed on the door of whatever room council designates before records can be stored there.

It was agreed to formally establish a Parks Commission with Gaynor, Klingaman, Kim Klingaman and Smith as members.

Council approved permanent appropriations in the amount of $508,778, broken down as follows: General Fund $268,867; Street Fund $61,168; State Highway Fund $22,146; Motor Vehicle Fund $17,484 and Fire Fund $139,113.30.

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.