Proposed community center, police station discussed
Mayor Bruce Metzger explained preliminary plans for a proposed community center and police station during the Feb. 4 meeting for Strasburg Council.
“We have made a proposal to the school officials for 1.21 acres of land located on North Bodmer Avenue. We are waiting for an answer from the board of education,” Metzger said.
Metzger said plans are in the preliminary stage to construct an 11,920-square-foot building that would house a community center, police station, library and the Carpenter’s Cupboard food pantry.
During a work session prior to the council meeting, council members Kathy Burrier and Dustin Briggs suggested it would be in the best interest of the village to plan for the Emma Huber Memorial Library to be located inside the new facility. Council agreed.
“This facility would seat 350 and could be used for graduation parties, wedding receptions, and for residents to come sit and talk,” Metzger said. “We will not be asking taxpayers for funding. We are working with local banks.”
Metzger said a town meeting will be held April 12 from 9 a.m. to noon in Village Hall to answer questions and view a preliminary drawing of the building.
In another matter
Council agreed to purchase a 2024 1-ton service truck at a cost of $72,983 through state purchasing. The truck included a snowplow and v-box. The monthly payment will be $2,200 through SSB Community Bank in Strasburg.
Council also did the following:
—Passed an amended ordinance enacting zero lot line ASE lots. It must be new construction to be sold, not rented. The ordinance passed 4-2 with Wes Hostetler and Dustin Briggs voting no.
—Authorized Law Director Terry Seeberger to draw up an ordinance to accept applications to hire a Laborer I full-time position for all departments at $28.60 per hour.
—Agreed to have Lisa Edie, part-time park employee, begin duties March 17.
—Passed a resolution hiring Zachariah Haynes as a certified emergency medical technician (basic) and Firefighter II. Fire Chief Jason Ely said there are 24 part-time fire department staffers.
—Passed an ordinance enacting and adopting a supplement of the Ohio Basic Code by American Legal Publishing Corporation.
—Held the first reading of a resolution authorizing certain village employees to sign for loans and enter into a banking relationship with SSB Community Bank at Strasburg as part of a need for financial flexibility to meet operational and development needs.
—Heard an AED will be installed in the library, and the remaining AEDs located in the village were updated with new batteries and pads. Cabinets were ordered for the AEDs at the park. The total cost is $782.
—Agreed to pay for curbing for an extension of Seventh Street Northwest from William Village onto Dale Avenue. Sidewalks will be installed by the property owners. Council members Wes Hostetler and Marty Zehnder voted no.
—Heard Franklin Township Trustees ordered a brush truck cab and chassis.
—Heard work is pending to repair interior walls, trim with metal sheeting and paint at the fire station at a cost of $3,630.
Other information
Council set a Joint Economic Development District for Thursday, March 20 at 4:30 p.m. at Village Hall to discuss Alron, a metal fabrication business requesting to join the JEDD.
Spring cleanup will be April 15. Information is posted at Village Hall and on the village website.
The open burning ban is in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.
The police responded to 97 calls in February. Police ask motorists to slow down in the 20 mph school zone and drive sensibly at Franklin Park. The fire department responded to 24 calls for service from Feb. 15 to March 3.
The next meeting will be March 18 at 6 p.m. at 224 N. Bodmer Ave. A public hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. to review a petition for a property entry into the JEDD.