LISBON — Lisbon village council agreed to table a decision on joining a class action lawsuit against Norfolk Southern indefinitely until council members receive more information.

Councilwoman Dawn Thomas moved to table the issue after it was noted that council members read a review of the proposal by village solicitor Alec Beech. Attorney Marc Dann of Dann Law and Tim Fox of Morgan & Morgan Law Firm talked to council members recently about joining the lawsuit over the East Palestine train derailment.

Issues under consideration for the lawsuit included the establishment of a medical trust fund that could be used by first responders who may develop illnesses in the future from their exposure to dangerous chemicals at the scene. The village had eight firefighters who responded to the scene the night of the Feb. 3 derailment.

In swimming pool news, a new diving board is on the way for swimmers to test their diving skills at the Sadie Van Fossen pool this summer.

Village council approved an expense of up to $15,000 for repairs to the diving board area. Councilman Jerry Cox said Daley Excavating of Lisbon will do the work to take out the old concrete and install new concrete in a 14-foot by 40-foot area. The new 16-foot aluminum diving board will be blue. The Lisbon Street department will assist with the work. The project estimate is $14,500.

“We knew this project was coming up last year so we planned for it,” Cox said, noting the $15,000 was in the budget.

During new business, Mayor Peter Wilson noted that the Columbiana County commissioners granted $25,000 to the village from American Rescue Plan Act funds for improvements to street department vehicles, prompting Councilwoman Melissa Hiner to ask why council wasn’t involved in that decision to request the money, saying it should have been discussed by council on whether to apply for the funds.

The mayor said he would keep that in mind in the future, commenting that $25,000 is $25,000.”

He had also mentioned that he had someone who was considering donating the $15,000 for the pool. Councilwoman Dawn Thomas noted that money was already in the budget for that, with Hiner indicating council needs to evaluate requests like the one for the ARPA funds.

“It’s hard to make a decision when we don’t know what’s going on,” Thomas said.

“My apologies for getting money for the village. You can tell it’s an election year,” Wilson said.

In other action, council:

— approved using Brothers Mechanical for maintenance on the street department vehicles based on prices submitted by both Brothers Mechanical and Jay Mullen Motor Services

— approved the third and final reading to update the penalty section of the litter law

— approved selling the used police department 2016 Ford Explorer to the village of Hanoverton for $1

— approved $300 to update the “Welcome to Lisbon” brochure, in conjunction with the Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce and the Columbiana County Parks District (who are also contributing $300 each)

— approved up to $10,000 for other maintenance needs for the fire department, for interior painting and bathroom renovations

— approved a resolution to authorize a subsurface easement with Columbia Gas for $382.50

— hired Jamie Lynn Mattos as a part-time police dispatcher.

In other business, Bob Hunt of the Lisbon Fraternal Order of Eagles 2216 Aerie approached council about having a community fun day, with plans for the group to donate $500 to cover costs for a community yard sale for residents to host at their homes and $500 for entertainment in the evening on the square. He also talked about hosting a community swim, possibly for two days, at the Sadie Van Fossen pool.

Wilson said the Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce could probably help with the community fun day. No dates for when to hold the events were discussed.

Gene Krotky of the cemetery board reported the hiring of Chris Parks as the new part-time cemetery clerk at a rate of $12 per hour. She also offered thanks to Ron Finch for helping out as a volunteer for record keeping.

Krotky also put out a plea for volunteers to show up for a volunteer work day at the cemetery beginning at 8 a.m. May 20. Anyone can show up, but should bring their own equipment. She also thanked the street department and water department for their help in getting the cemetery ready for Memorial Day.

Bill Hoover, chairman of the Board of Public Affairs, announced the hydrant flushing will begin Monday on the east side of town and then continue to the west. Residents can expect possible discoloration and reduced water pressure.

mgreier@mojonews.com