Tuscarawas council discusses Heritage parking, police resignation

Tuscarawas Village Council met April 23, with several Heritage Drive residents attending to discuss a proposed parking ban.

Residents Amber Stephen, Cory Weber, Don Crites, Robert Sciarini, Terry Westbrook, Larry Enos and Anna Kuzmich attended the meeting. Crites presented a petition signed by 40 Heritage Drive residents asking that no changes be made to parking on the street.

Enos said he accompanied Crites while collecting signatures and that everyone they spoke with favored leaving parking as it is.

Westbrook asked whether the curb would be repaired. Village Administrator D.J. Meek said workers were expected to return early the following week to repair the curb, repour several sidewalk slabs and a driveway, and seal cracks. Meek also said reseeding was expected, and guests agreed fill dirt was needed along the sidewalk.

Kuzmich said she attended in support of other Heritage Drive residents. She also said she had witnessed unsafe actions by children on scooters and asked what could be done. Mayor Dana Moore said council is considering Ordinance 2026-04, which would regulate the use of electric scooters and bicycles. Kuzmich also recommended a class to teach scooter safety and etiquette.

Council hired Dillon Howard for the village’s IT position at $25 per hour as needed after he previously submitted a resume for the job.

Council also approved paying bills totaling $20,078.97 and accepted Resolution 2026-06, an amended annual appropriation resolution for 2026. Fiscal Officer Kathy Sullivan said the amended appropriations were needed so street paving could be completed.

Meek reported the UV system is up and running ahead of the May 1 deadline. He showed council photos of the project and said a structure will be built over the unit and steps added.

Meek also said a sign will be placed at the park stating the trail around it is for foot traffic only. Four zoning certificates were issued in the past two weeks for three pools and a garage, and the paving list has been submitted.

Councilman Brian Dittfeld reported Google Workspace has been set up for the new Chromebooks. He said he hopes to have email transferred from the old system to Google Workspace and the website turned over next week. A training session for users is planned before the next council meeting.

Councilman Mark Smith said he has been contacting food truck owners about setting up at the park, but some are reluctant to commit without a guaranteed number of attendees. Other villages may be contacted for advice on starting a farmers market or similar event.

Councilman Mike Ritenour said the Tusky Days Festival committee met at May 4 at the community center. He said the new committee is doing a great job, and he expects the auction to be successful.

Moore said the village received a letter of recognition from TNR for its recent donation to the program.

Moore also informed council that Police Chief Jim Goodall submitted his resignation, effective May 31. Moore said he has three possible candidates for the position.

Council entered executive session at 8:02 p.m. to discuss personnel and returned to regular session at 8:16 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.