Strasburg Council discusses charging for park use

Strasburg Village Council held a lengthy discussion during its Nov. 4 meeting about whether to begin charging for events held at Franklin Park.

Mayor Bruce Metzger said a group recently held a softball tournament at the park without notifying the village. Because the event wasn’t on the schedule, the restrooms were closed and winterized at the time.

“We furnish the equipment and gas to drag the fields and they use them for free,” Metzger said.

Park Committee Chairman Wes Hostetler said he believes a fee should be charged for out-of-town groups using the park for tournaments. He added that attendees of private events or tournaments are already being charged for parking. Hostetler said he plans to hold a park committee meeting to decide on a possible fee and may establish a permit process for facility use.

Brent Metzger, who coaches a fall softball team, disagreed, saying teams may choose not to participate if required to pay.

Newly elected council member Jason Marks noted that his children played AAU ball and those teams were always charged to use fields and facilities.

Fiscal Officer Jennifer Mahoney reminded council that coaches or anyone wanting to rent a pavilion or field must call at the beginning of the year. The shelter rental fee is $50.

Other council business

Mayor Metzger commended Police Chief Randy Haugh and the police department for recovering $46,000 of $47,000 stolen in a recent business hacking incident. Only $1,000 was not recovered.

Council also:

— Passed a resolution approving the borrowing of $775,000 from SSB Community Bank to finance 5.266 acres of land and develop residential lots, with terms acceptable to the village solicitor.

— Heard that $10,237 of the $20,000 allocated for sidewalk repair or replacement has been spent.

— Discussed redirecting heavy truck traffic on Zeltman Avenue to 12th Street NE to reduce congestion near the Sunoco Station. No action was taken.

— Held the first reading of a resolution to establish a village policy on information and cybersecurity.

— Denied permits to WGCS Investments LLC for three duplexes on Railroad Avenue SE because the projects did not meet rear setback requirements.

— Learned that an upgraded sign will soon be installed at the Mickey Mart at 7532 state Route 250.

Other information

The restrooms at Franklin Park have been closed and winterized for the season.

Christmas in the Village will take place Dec. 13 from 5-7 p.m. Events include a live nativity at 516 N. Wooster Ave., Santa Claus at the fire station at 125 Second St., and a parade at 4 p.m. on Bodmer Avenue. The Rudolph Run begins at 9 a.m., followed by the fun run at 9:05 a.m.

Leaf collection will run from Nov. 10 through Dec. 9 Mondays and Tuesdays. Residents are reminded not to rake leaves around vehicles or over manholes. Updates are available on My Strasburg Notifications.

The fire department responded to 30 service calls between Oct. 16 and 31, bringing the yearly total to 590. The police department responded to 91 calls from Oct. 10 to Nov. 11.

The village’s new ambulance has been lettered and placed in service. Fire Chief Jason Ely reported that asbestos testing is underway for a house in the industrial park donated for training use by TremCar. Once testing is complete, an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency permit will be required before conducting a live burn, expected in December.

The next council meeting will be held Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. at 224 N. Bodmer Ave., Strasburg.