Strasburg council approves variance, discusses projects and end-of-year actions

At the Dec. 2 meeting, a public hearing was held prior to the council meeting with the board of zoning appeals to consider a variance request from Cornerstone Restorations and Design and WGCS Investments LLC. The request sought approval to construct duplex units on Railroad Avenue with less than the required lot area per unit and reduced rear setbacks. The variance was approved.

Council passed an ordinance outlining services the village will provide to territory upon annexation of 5.27 acres in Franklin Township. A petition seeking annexation of land adjacent to the village, and detachment from Franklin Township, has been submitted to Tuscarawas County for approval.

Council also did the following:

-Discussed a proposal to add parking spaces and a sidewalk to Garver Square. No action was taken.

-Approved $20,000 to be placed in a fund for sidewalk repairs and a tree removal program.

-Held the second reading of an ordinance establishing rates of pay and other benefits for elected officials and village employees.

-Discussed a 32-by-100-foot strip of vacant land near Weber Avenue. No ownership information exists in current records. The village will pursue obtaining the land. A Gerber family owned it in the 1920s, but by 1950, records list no owner.

-Reminded residents that when snowfall reaches 2 inches or more, vehicles should be moved off the street so plows can clear the roads. Vehicles may return after plowing is complete.

-Approved using remaining funds in the sidewalk and tree removal program to remove concrete sidewalks that cross paved intersections and replace them with asphalt.

-Learned the Bodmer Avenue water line replacement project from Fifth Street to the cemetery is expected to cost about $2 million.

-Passed a resolution approving end-of-year cash bonuses of $100 for full-time employees and $50 for part-time employees with satisfactory annual appraisals. The bonus is a one-time award with no guarantee of future payments.

-Held the first reading of an amended ordinance that would require operators of class one or two electric bicycles to wear a protective helmet meeting Consumer Product Safety Commission or American Society for Testing and Materials standards.

-Held the first reading of an amended ordinance regulating specialized motor vehicles such as golf carts and expanding regulations to include side-by-side vehicles, utility vehicles and all-terrain vehicles due to safety concerns. These vehicles may be operated on side streets but are not permitted on Wooster Avenue except to cross at traffic lights.

-Passed a resolution granting Law Director Terrence Seeberger a one-year contract beginning Dec. 1, 2025, at a cost of $8,500 annually, plus $25 per council meeting attended, and $150 hourly for additional extraordinary work, excluding travel time.

Other information:

The fire department responded to 16 calls for service from Nov. 16 to 30.

Council thanked village employees for clearing snow quickly.

The community may download an application for My Strasburg Notifications.

The next meeting is Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. at 224 N. Bodmer Ave. Council has agreed to begin meetings at 5 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month, and meetings are open to the public.