Council approves renewal levies on ballot this spring
At the Dec. 10 meeting of Zoar Council, members approved sending two levies to the county auditor to certify for the May 2025 ballot. Neither levy is new, nor does either ask for additional millage.
According to fiscal officer Patty Smith, a 2.3 mill general levy has provided funding for village operations since 2003. It has been renewable every five years. Council passed an emergency measure to submit the levy as a continuing replacement levy at the same millage so it will not have to be placed on the ballot every five years. The recommendation to do so came from Village Solicitor Doug Frautschy.
Council discussed whether or not to hold off until the November ballot when more people may be going to the polls. However, Smith advised against it, saying if the measure is defeated in May, the village will be able to try again in November. If the levy is not included until the November ballot, there will be no recourse, and funding for the year 2026 will be nonexistent.
Council also approved an emergency measure to place a five-year, 2.0 mill renewal police levy on the May ballot. Frautschy said the levy generates approximately $8,000 per year for police protection.
In a related matter, council also voted to renew a contract with the Bolivar Police Department on its first reading until such time as a new or modified renewal contract can be put into place. Smith said the cost of the contract at the current rate of $38 per hour will cost the village $8,800 in 2025.
Discussing the contract raised concern by David Gannon, safety committee chair, who questioned the hourly rate and how many hours the officers were actually on duty in the village as he said he rarely sees them. However, Mayor Tom Klingaman and other council members said they see the police officers quite often at various spots in the village.
2025 appropriations approved
Council voted to approve a total of $116,642 in 2025 appropriations as follows:
—General fund: $50,552.
—Street fund: $38,250.
—State highway: $6,200.
—Cemetery: $5,600, plus long-term maintenance funds for Civil War graves and other specific needs in the amount of $3,000.
—Police protection: $8,800.
—Historical home marker: $144.
—PEP grant funds: $1,596 allocated to safety.
—Interest on endowment fund: $2,500.
Reports and other matters
Street Commissioner David Irwin said the village snowplow is leaking hydraulic fluid, and there is visible pitting on the chrome. He said the cost to rebuild the hydraulics would be around $800 while replacement would cost around $1,800. At the suggestion of Gaynor, Irwin agreed to look into costs for a used snowplow and seek grant funding.
Gaynor reported for the Historic Preservation Commission, saying an application for a permit has been submitted by an ice cream vendor wanting to set up shop on the lower floor of the 151 First St. building owned by the Zoar Community Association. If details can be agreed upon, the permit will then be forwarded from HPC to the planning commission for approval.
Klingaman reported on a recent meeting with representatives from the City of Pittsburgh regarding zoning regulations, particularly as related to abandoned and blighted properties. He said their presentation was very informative and that Melissa Dials from the planning commission, who is an attorney, is working with city representatives toward potentially modifying some of their zoning regulations to fit Zoar’s needs.
Before adjourning, council approved the mayor’s appointment of Patrick Eddy as volunteer interim zoning inspector in the wake of David Hayes’ resignation. Eddy will fill the position until a permanent replacement can be found. Gannon and others expressed their thanks to Eddy for volunteering his time.
Zoar Village Council meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Zoar Village Hall and Event Center meeting room at 190 Fifth St. All council sessions are open to the public.