Residents can be charged for feeding animals
Anyone who violates the prohibitions shall be found guilty of a minor misdemeanor on the first offense or a possible fourth-degree misdemeanor.
Strasburg Council passed a revised ordinance by a 4-2 vote regulating the feeding of feral animals excluding squirrels, rabbits or birds during the Feb. 20 meeting. The ordinance becomes effective in 30 days.
The ordinance states a Trap, Neuter, Release project or organizations deemed substantially similar shall provide to the village police chief or fiscal officer a list of representatives who are approved by a TNR project or such organization to be caregivers. Anyone who violates the prohibitions shall be found guilty of a minor misdemeanor on the first offense or a possible fourth-degree misdemeanor.
“You cannot tell wildlife it cannot eat the food,” resident Matt Myers said.
Council President Pro-tem Marty Zehnder said those feeding masses of cats should be held responsible.
The village received a $15,000 grant from the Rosenberry Foundation toward the purchase of a tornado siren. A grant for $34,500 was received in 2023 from the Reeves Foundation for the purchase of a tornado siren. Council member Kathy Burrier, grant writer, thanked both foundations.
The Franklin Township trustees will be contacted for help with the remaining cost of the second tornado siren. Burrier will contact the company to see if the cost has increased. The village also received $1,000 from Public Entities of Ohio insurance so regulatory warning signs can be posted at the Franklin Park pavilion areas stating “swimming, wading or fishing permitted at your own risk.”
Dustin Briggs, park committee member, explained modifying field two at Franklin Park into a Pony League field. Lewis Landscaping of Copley, Ohio was hired to complete the work at a cost of $14,894. Briggs said the field can be completed by this spring.
Council also did the following:
—Learned handicap signs are being addressed at Village Hall and the police station with mandatory minimum fines posted on the poles.
—Agreed to advertise for a part-time seasonal employee at Franklin Park. The position is from April to October/November, weather permitting. The pay is $18 per hour, and applications are on the village website.
—Approved the purchase of 10 outdoor diamond steel trash cans for the park at a cost of $4,628.
—Held the first reading of a resolution to remove the crosswalk lights at Fourth Street and Wooster Avenue. The new lights cost $16,000. Zehnder said it creates a false sense of security for children. The crosswalk will remain intact with no crossing lights if the resolution is passed. Council member Jeff Smith said he doesn’t understand why this is being done as the flow of traffic is not a problem. He said it is the entrance to the park. He asked the ordinance be tabled.
—Heard Smith ask if the clergy could continue to pray before council. No one responded to the request.
—Learned at the Feb. 6 meeting the wastewater treatment plant loan has been paid and the village will no longer accept sludge.
—Learned the village/bus garage needs a new roof. Any costs over $75,000 must be bid.
Other information
At the request of the Boy Scouts #72, a plaque will be mounted above the door of the Scout building at Franklin Park to read Carl W. “Bub” Dreher Scout House. Dreher was involved in Scouting for many years.
Spring cleanup curbside collection will be held April 16. A list of acceptable and nonacceptable items is available at Village Hall.
Metzger said plans are to hold a community gathering on May 18 from 4-7 p.m. at Garver Square on Wooster Avenue. Food trucks, bingo, children’s games and other activities will be held. Volunteers are needed, and donations are accepted.
The next meeting will be held March 5 at 6 p.m. at 224 N. Bodmer Ave. A public hearing will be held March 5 at 5:30 p.m. to bring 0.813 acre at 9964 NW Ohio 21 and owned by Campbell Oil into Strasburg-Franklin Joint Economic Development District.