Zoar approves funds to begin cemetery expansion
With only 26 plots currently available, Zoar Village Council has approved funding to start the first phase of a cemetery expansion into vacant land on its west side.
At the Sept. 10 meeting of Zoar Village Council, members passed an emergency resolution amending appropriations and approving the transfer of $5,000 to the cemetery fund. According to fiscal officer Patty Smith, the money will cover the expenses of phase one of a cemetery expansion plan, which includes the cost of a land survey and installation of a new road and gravel.
Smith recommended the transfer after the village failed to receive grant funds for the project.
“We’ve talked about expanding the cemetery for years,” said Tom Klingaman, mayor.
The expansion is needed because there are only 26 lots remaining in the Zoar Cemetery. When completed, the expansion will yield 150 additional plots.
Reports to council
In his mayor’s report, Klingaman said the Tuscarawas County United Soccer Association and the Tusky Valley Athletics Booster Club plan to start holding spaghetti dinner fundraisers in the event center starting in November. According to Klingaman, a fee of 20% of sales was negotiated as a rental fee, but that amount may be adjusted based upon how successful the dinners are.
Klingaman also said he would like to earmark $400 from a Ladies’ Tea held during the 2022 Historic Zoar Village Civil War Reenactment for purchasing pots, pans and other kitchen items for the event center.
Klingaman also reported for the planning commission, saying they discussed the continuing issues caused by abandoned properties. He said the commission is researching building codes used in other municipalities, particularly those with historic districts. The plan is to develop a building code for Zoar.
In addition, Klingaman said he will look into a request on the part of a resident asking the village to vacate East Street between Fourth and Fifth streets.
Safety committee chairperson David Gannon said he noticed the Village of Navarre was hiring a part-time zoning inspector and said most villages in the area have done so. Gannon wants to explore the possibility of hiring such a person for the village. Smith told Gannon most zoning inspectors cost about $100 per hour, which she does not believe the village can afford.
Mark Gaynor, chair of the event center committee, said representatives from ProAV Systems in New Philadelphia will come to the center to analyze the meeting room used by council. The purpose is to determine how many acoustic panels will be needed to dampen sound. Gaynor also said he wants to add the estimated cost to the cost of a generator and apply for grant funding.
Legislation
Council heard the following:
—Second reading of a resolution to accept the county budget commission amounts and rates.
—First reading of an agreement to contract with the public defender’s office for indigent cases.
—First reading of a measure to approve county distribution of state funds according to the alternative funding formula instituted by the State of Ohio in 2022.
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.