Village plans paving and a spring cleanup in April
Strasburg Village Council will meet March 7 at 6 p.m. at 224 N. Bodmer Ave.
Strasburg Village Council accepted an estimate from the Tuscarawas County engineer for paving in the village. At the meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 22, village administrator Ron Lambert said the village is part of a consortium to participate in the 2023 Tuscarawas County paving project. The plans are to pave Weber Avenue from Seventh Street Southwest to Ninth Street Southwest, along with several alleys in the immediate area. In addition, an alley in front of Dickerhoof’s Garage, located off Ninth Street Southwest, also will be paved.
Councilman Marty Zehnder also suggested the village finish paving Seventh Street Northwest and Dale Avenue to the tree line. A portion of the unopened street is owned by the Red Malcuit Inc.
If the street were opened, it would connect Williams Village with Dale Avenue and Pine Ridge Development. Zehnder insisted Lambert said work could be completed all at once. Lambert said he did not recall telling Zehnder that; however, Zehnder said the message was relayed to him sometime ago. Council did not act on the request.
Mayor Steve Smith responded to Wes Hostetler, a Strasburg Board of Education member who is considering running for mayor in November, about the fire chief and how many days he works in the village. Smith said the fire chief works 40 hours a week, which is sometimes 12-hour shifts, and he works at home but does not charge the village.
“We have made great progress in the fire department. When Chief Steve Laskey was hired, there were 20 volunteer firefighters. Fourteen of the original firefighters are still on the department, plus more staff has been hired to serve on a part-time basis. Residents passed a levy to have a full-time fire department serve the village and Franklin Township 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Smith said.
Councilman Dustin Briggs asked Hostetler if the Strasburg Board of Education is considering hiring a resource officer. Briggs said he drops his daughter off at school in the morning, and the door is propped open. He plans to attend a board of education meeting.
Council did the following:
—Learned the village has received a grant from the Rosenberry Foundation for a portion of a new generator for the police station. The cost of the generator was about $11,000. The Reeves Foundation granted $6,500, and the Rosenberry Foundation paid the remainder of the cost. Councilwoman Kathy Burrier wrote the grant. Mayor Smith and Police Chief Dave Warrick thanked Burrier for writing the grant.
—Passed an ordinance hiring part-time firefighter Dakota Kopp, probationary firefighter 120/EMT-B, and Madeline Smith, probationary firefighter 36/medic.
—Adopted a resolution urging Gov. Mike DeWine and the General Assembly to restore the local government funds to prerecession level.
—Learned the fire department officials have been assessing the high risks for response in the village and township. Laskey said with the recent event in Ohio, they are working with R.J. Corman Railroad to develop the best response plan for the community.
—Reminded residents as the weather continues to warm up, burning leaves and brush brings the risk of fire spreading. There is an ordinance against burning leaves and brush in the village. Those who can legally burn should burn safely and not leave the fire unattended.
—Heard a dumpster will be placed at the fire station so items stored behind the buildings can be disposed of. They are fall and winter items.
—Heard the firefighters have been participating in training. They have completed a walk-through of the Ramada for familiarization and tactical planning. Plans are to inform the community as much as possible on the fire department’s Facebook page as to where training is taking place in order to not alarm anyone if they see crews pulling hoses or setting up ladders.
—Held an executive session for imminent court action. Council took no action.
Other information
—Spring cleanup will be held April 11. Items should be placed with the trash and recycling pickup. A list of items accepted is available at Village Hall.
—The fire department responded to 24 calls from Feb. 6-19. Of those, 18 calls were emergency calls, and firefighters also volunteered for the elementary book fair.
—The police responded to 221 calls in January.
—Pastor Matthew Wald, Strasburg United Methodist Church, led a prayer at the beginning of the meeting.
Council will meet March 7 at 6 p.m. at 224 N. Bodmer Ave.