Strasburg council reviews ODOT traffic study, hires new fire/EMS staff

During the Sept. 2 meeting councilman Jeff Smith gave an update on a traffic study held Aug. 22 in the village with the Ohio Department of Transportation Safety Corridor. Those attending reviewed the number of traffic crashes that have occurred on Wooster Avenue, the I-77 northbound ramp, the Fourth Street/ Wooster Avenue crosswalk, and discussed a mini-roundabout at the exit ramp at I-77 north, 12th Street at the Industrial Park, a possible turn lane at Harwalk Road intersection in the future and a turn lane off Ft. Laurens Road. 

“ODOT is putting a packet of information together for council,” Jeff Smith said, “OMEGA did a study and recorded over 13,000 vehicles travel through the village each day.” 

Council passed, as an emergency, a resolution hiring part-time staffers Meghan Kieffer, firefighter II /paramedic and Nathan Robinson, firefighter II /emergency medical technician-basic. 

Council also did the following

-Held the first reading of an ordinance regulating the riding of electric scooters and electric bicycles in the village. Several restrictions included in the ordinance are only one rider at a time and obeying all traffic laws. 

-Passed an ordinance amending the property maintenance code enacting accumulation and prohibiting rubbish, yard debris and clippings in any places other than receptacles as provided. 

-Passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Bruce Metzger to apply, accept, and enter into a cooperative agreement for design of the wastewater treatment plant reconstruction and expansion project between the village and Ohio Water Development Authority at zero percent interest. 

-Issued permits to LS Architects (Dr. Steve Snyder), new construction at 105 Fourth St. SW and AHM Investments, Fernsell Avenue new AFS home construction (two-family). 

-Heard the proposed timeline for the opening of the new community center, police department, library, and food pantry is scheduled for Oct. 1, 2026. 

Other information 

A pickleball tournament will be held Oct. 11 at 8 a.m. in Franklin Park. Cost is $35 early bird, $40 per players, $50 for two events. For details and registration contact www.pickeballbrackets.com//ABC123. 

The police responded to 114 calls from Aug. 19 to Sept. 2. 

TremCar has offered an aluminum petroleum trailer for training for the fire department. The trailer can be used and reused. Council agreed. 

The fire department responded to 32 calls for service Aug. 16-31. 

Fire hydrants will be flushed in October at a date to be announced on My Strasburg Notifications. 

Fall cleanup will be held Oct. 14. Curbside collections will be posted on Facebook and My Strasburg Notifications. 

The next meeting will be held Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. at 224 N. Bodmer Ave.