Sugarcreek Council approves block party
At its most recent meeting, the Sugarcreek Village Council approved a request to host a block party Sunday, June 1 from 3-5 p.m. for residents of Maple Street. The event will take place just before scheduled construction begins on the street.
Village Administrator Kevin Kaser said Maple Street will receive new curbing and be paved over its brick surface, requiring closure from South Broadway to Finzer Drive. Volunteers from the Alpine Hills Museum will be on-site during the block party, offering coffee for donations and providing photo opportunities.
“This job is expected to begin shortly after June 1,” Kaser said. “We will probably need to reroute the Ohio Swiss Festival parades because of the Maple Street construction.”
Council passed an emergency resolution granting the Ohio Swiss Festival and the Sugarcreek Business Association permission to use village streets as needed for their events.
Other matters addressed by council included the awarding of a $141,787 paving contract to Newton Asphalt and the hiring of Rick Troyer as a new street department employee, who began duties April 29 and will serve a six-month probationary period.
Health insurance costs for village employees have increased by 3.9%.
Council also received updates on the village’s new pickleball courts, with fencing scheduled to be installed May 12, weather permitting. The acrylic surface has already been applied, and the total project cost is $51,718. Older benches are being refurbished for use at the courts.
Maintenance updates included the draining and repair of the water storage tank at the football field and a second tank near the McDonald’s on Belden. Two waterline repairs were completed at Yoder Avenue and Third Street and at East Main and North Broadway.
The village expects to repair a damaged guardrail on U.S. 39 near the Speedway Service Station May 7, pending weather conditions. Additionally, Yoder Excavating was hired to replace four sewer line sections at a cost of $33,300. Repairs on Zurich Street are expected to begin May 12, weather permitting.
Council also passed an ordinance to participate in the Ohio Department of Transportation’s 2025 road salt contract and held a second reading to vacate an unopened alley between lots 139 and 140.
A work order was submitted to American Electric Power to install a streetlight at Heritage Crossing. A request to install a streetlight at Troyer and Shane drives was discussed, but no decision was made.
In other news the fire department announced in a press release that ambulances will now carry blood for emergency use.
Garaway High School government students were present at the meeting as part of a class assignment.
The next meeting will be Monday, May 19 at 7 p.m. at 410 S. Broadway. Prior to the meeting, the streets, water and sewer committee will meet at 6 p.m. to discuss water and sewer rates, followed by the lands, buildings, sidewalks and insurance committee at 6:30 p.m. to review fire department renovation plans.