CENTERBURG — Centerburg village council members paved the way for a new town hall on Monday when they approved buying lots on Clayton and Houck streets.
The village will pay the Centerburg Public Library $90,000 for parcels 18-00046.000 and 18-00047.000 on East Houck Street and parcel 1800048.000 at 52 N. Clayton St.
The combined acreage totals roughly 0.5 acres.
They also gave first reading to legislation authorizing another land purchase: a 0.163-acre lot at 40 N. Clayton St., the current site of Interchurch Social Services thrift shop.
Following an executive session at their June meeting, council members authorized Village Administrator Teri Wise to sign a contract with ISS to buy the building for $133,700.
The village will also pay up to $7,500 in closing costs.
The contract calls for the closing to be held on or before Oct. 15 and is subject to council’s final approval.
ISS recently bought the building at 56 Johnsville Road and will relocate to that facility by fall.
Councilman Greg Myers previously noted the need for better access as the current town hall is not handicap accessible.
Mayor Greg Sands declined to comment further on plans for the properties as the village has no designs or timetable for constructing a new facility.
Special meeting
Council members tabled the third reading of the proposed 2025 budget because it has not yet been completed. The council set a special meeting for Thursday, July 11, at 6 p.m. to consider the third reading.
The council will also give a second reading to legislation relating to buying and installing on-site backup generators at the village’s three lift stations. The legislation received its first reading at Monday’s council meeting.
The estimated cost is $224,547:
•Purchase of equipment through Buckeye Power Sales: $132,800
•Installation of equipment by Buckingham Electric: $76,747
•Inspection and approval of project by K.E. McCartney & Associates: up to $15,000
The village will use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money to pay for the project.
In other legislative action, council members gave a first reading to an ordinance vacating a section of Spring Alley behind 52 Washington St.
Village solicitor Kyle Strough noted that if the village vacates the alley, it must put an easement in place. He suggested that council consider leaving the alley under village control and letting the owners at 50 and 72 Washington St. continue to use it as they have.
Village administrator
•The Ohio Public Works Commission grant for Jerry Street stormwater pipe repairs was approved in the state’s capital budget.
•Small’s Sand & Gravel submitted the sole bid for the village’s paving projects.
•Facebook followers increased 2%.
•Street light and manhole cover inventories continue.
•Samples at wastewater treatment plant met EPA parameters
•Bike counter on the Heart of Ohio Trail registered 23,198 users compared to 14,000 last month
•Started conversation with Mount Vernon regarding sludge collection
COJFD
•Training completed with Porter-Kingston and BSTG (Berlin, Sunbury, Trenton, Galena)
•Participated in Serve the Burg
•Partnership with Red Cross on smoke alarm inspection/installation a success
•Installed firefighter sauna at cost of $2,000 vs initial renovations plan of sauna room constructed for $13,000
Revitalization
•Street light survey is done; project should be done by Christmas.
•Discussed downtown parking — will turn over to HOBA (Heart of Ohio Business Association) for further action
•Plans to expand strategic planning committee; once expanded, will begin review of the plan
Miscellaneous
•Councilman Daniel Hardwick broached the idea of the village becoming a Tree City again.
•Mayor Sands noted the village should consider the issue of recreational marijuana dispensaries in the village.
•The Village Mercantile is closing, primarily because of new ownership and increased rent, according to Sands.