Council discusses sale of property

Village council discussed the requested sale of a property owned by the village in its Sept. 6 meeting.

The property in question, a lot located at 49 Main St., would have to be advertised and bid by law, and while none of the council members were against the sale, they did want to minimize the village's expense in the process of the sale. Mayor Kevin Siembida also noted that due to the property's proximity to the creek, the village would require an approximately 30- to 40-foot easement at the property should it be sold. Village Administrator Gary Phillips said that the resident interested in purchasing the property had offered the village a permanent easement for the property should it decide to sell.

Council decided to advertise the property with the necessary easement for bid price plus closing costs to limit both the village's investment and risk, with a motion to advertise the property for bid unanimously approved. Village Solicitor Abbey Minamyer explained that by advertising the property for bid with the easement, the village protects itself from any potential issues with having one implemented should the prospective buyer be outbid.

Other financial matters discussed included approval of a transfer of $3,000 from the General Fund to the Cemetery Fund, and the tabling of a motion to approve the village's commercial Insurance for the upcoming fiscal year starting Oct. 1, 2023, at a cost of $41,363.76, which would represent and 8.9% increase over last year's cost of $37,982. Council elected to table the motion to allow Fiscal Officer Nick Mistovich to potentially find a more favorable rate.

The meeting also saw the approval of several hires for the police, fire and street departments. Jadin Porter and Billy Jean Tomin, were both hired as firefighters, and come with five and a half and one year of experience with the Calcutta Fire Department respectively prior to a recent move to Salem. Zack Cusick was hired as a part-time Street Laborer at a rate of $14 per hour effective Sept. 18.

As discussed in council's last meeting officer Eric Ritz was hired to a full-time position following his return from his military service in Syria at a rate of $18 per hour, beginning Sept. 18. Police Chief Allen Haueter said that following Ritz return the department will once again have 24/7 officer coverage except for during the daylight shift on Sundays.

Other matters discussed included the village's annual leaf and brush pickup. Brush pickup will remain the first two weeks of October as in the past, meaning this year's pickup will be from Oct. 2 through 13. As in past years residents are asked to ensure branches are no larger than 6 feet in length and that they are piled in the same direction on the curb lawn. Branches are not to be piled in the road or on sidewalks. Residents are also asked not to mix leaves and branches together.

Leaf pickup will continue to be conducted with a hybrid model again this year, with leaf bags to be distributed once again to those residents willing to use them, and the leaf vacuum to be employed later. Siembida and council said that they had received mixed feedback regarding the change to the program last year, but that the change had provided a significant savings to the village. Siembida said that while he did not have the specific figures at that time the village had saved several thousand dollars on the program last year. Siembida also said that the village was able to begin collecting bagged leaves earlier, and that the bags made it easier to pick up leaves throughout the season.

Council also set the village's annual Halloween festivities for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Village council will meet next at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 20.

mahart@mojonews.com