BLOOMVILLE - Bloomville council heard a concern regarding village police officers not wearing their seat belts while on patrol, when they met for their second regular meeting of the month Wednesday night.
Councilman Tracy Meadows brought the concern to council, drawing a response from Police Chief Howard Minzer that he would "encourage officers" to wear seat belts.
Streets superintendent Rick Dentinger is researching options for repairing the village pool floor. The concrete is pitted and should be repaired before repainting, last done a year ago. He noted two chemical pool pumps also will have to be purchased. Costs could run as high as $1,180.
A representative of Clouse Electric visited Bloomville to evaluate the need for a generator. He will provide a written estimate and recommendations for the size and type needed. Dentinger also reported that in response to directives from the Risk Management Plan of the Ohio Plan, swings from the former school have been used to replace swings in the park.
Mayor Robert George reported he has completed a list of needed work and has reviewed it with Dentinger.
George also encouraged involvement in the Neighborhood Watch program. Meadows volunteered to continue as liaison between council and the group. Minzer clarified that the group meets at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month in the Community Center.
Council approved the following:
Employment of Brent Mills as part-time police patrolman with compensation.
Certifying delinquent accounts to the county auditor, passing as an emergency.
Paying current bills for the village.
First reading was made of a resolution to accept the amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the county auditor.
Clerk-treasurer Janis Weasner reminded council the utility office will be closed today with wastewater and water superintendent Darin Brown and herself being subpoenaed for court in the former police officer William Laugherty trial. The office will reopen Tuesday.
Council reviewed information from Aspen Energy regarding electrical accounts. They quoted $.05792 per kilowatt hour and a savings of $7,578.85 annually. Members questioned how rates on the current bills with AEP were determined. They had concerns about maintenance of street lights and if there would be additional charges from AEP if they were not the energy supplier. Councilman Ray Sexton was to contact Aspen Energy discuss the quote.
Weasner provided information to council regarding the Seneca County auction. Seneca County utilizes the online govdeals.com site to dispose of unneeded equipment. She suggested council send the Chevrolet Blazer to a consignment sale or sell by sealed bids. However, advertising is required for selling by sealed bids and it would be prudent to compile a list of unneeded equipment to make the advertisement worthwhile.
Other members of council suggested selling on eBay or Craiglist. Sexton reported that he had used another site and would provide information on that auction. This was tabled until the next meeting.
George reported that Merv Wilhelm had taken a village picnic table home to repair and repaint. The table was returned Tuesday afternoon and within three hours it was vandalized. George was able to remove the graffiti, but was discouraged by the ongoing problem. He has asked officers to patrol the park area more often, but this vandalism is occurring during afternoon hours.
Weasner commended Vicki Holley for cleaning not only the curb in front of her house, but also curbs on neighboring property.
Weasner also reported that outgoing utility bills were printed with an incorrect "due date." Bills are due by the 20th of the month instead of the printed 15th.
Council's next meeting will be 7 p.m. Sept. 5 at village hall.
