Strasburg council approves JEDD amendment, hears department updates

Council passed an ordinance Nov. 18 as an emergency measure approving the 11th amendment to the Strasburg Franklin Joint Economic Development District contract. The amendment adds 2 acres of property owned by D. Miller Real Estate LLC, which will operate a business on state Route 21 in Franklin Township. The economic development move will free funds for use in development while ensuring that all money ultimately benefits village utilities, including those extended into the township.

“We are working to set up training in the house on Zeltman Avenue that was donated by Tremcar USA,” Fire Chief Jason Ely said. “The plan is to have a live burn in later December or early January. Crews have been utilizing the house for shift training. I would like to host a regional training before the burn day. I am working to set that up. The Cardinal Group will complete the asbestos testing.”

Ely reported the fire department responded to 34 service calls from Nov. 1-15.

Council also did the following:

– Heard that the 5.266 acres of land purchased by the village must be annexed into the village.

– Held the first reading of an ordinance to limit heavy truck traffic on Zeltman Avenue where it intersects with North Wooster Avenue, Route 250. Council expressed concern that semi trucks and roll-off refuse trucks turning from Zeltman Avenue NE onto North Wooster Avenue pose a danger to pedestrians and other drivers. If approved, truck drivers would be asked to use 12th Street NE.

– Heard the first reading of an ordinance establishing pay rates and other benefits for elected officials and village employees.

– Held the first reading of a resolution approving end-of-year cash bonuses for employees. If approved, full-time employees receiving satisfactory annual appraisals would receive a one-time $100 bonus, and part-time employees with satisfactory appraisals would receive $50. The resolution is for one year and may not be repeated.

– Planned a work session for Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. to discuss charging a fee to outside teams holding tournaments at Franklin Park, excluding school district teams.

– Held the second reading of a resolution establishing a village policy on information and cybersecurity.

– Heard that discrepancies related to the Stenwood Development at Keim Drive have been corrected.

– Learned that the radar speed sign has arrived and will be installed on Sixth Street NW.

– Received the updated timeline for the proposed community center: Dec. 12 for final design; Feb. 20, 2026, for the guaranteed maximum price; March 26, 2026, for groundbreaking and start of construction; and Sept. 3, 2026, for completion.

Other information:

Christmas in the Village will be held Dec. 13. A 5K run begins at 9 a.m., followed by a walk at 9:05 a.m. Breakfast with Santa Claus will take place at the United Methodist Church from 8 a.m. to noon, with Santa appearing from 9 -11 a.m. An ice carving demonstration begins at noon near the arch at the high school, followed by a Christmas parade at 4:30 p.m. A live nativity at 516 N. Wooster Ave. and a Santa visit at the fire station at 125 Second St. NE will take place from 5-7 p.m.

Residents wishing to replace sidewalks may contact the village. Village employees will remove the existing sidewalk at no charge, but there is a time limit for replacing the new sidewalk.

Leaf collection will continue through Dec. 9. Leaves are picked up Mondays and Tuesdays and should be raked to the curb.

Police responded to 82 calls from Nov. 3-18.

The next council meeting will be held Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. at 224 N. Bodmer Ave. The board of zoning appeals will meet at 5:30 p.m. to discuss construction of duplexes on Railroad Avenue.