Kristi R. Garabrandt
The Daily Jeffersonian, Cambridge, Ohio
BYESVILLE, Ohio — In an effort to help the Byesville Volunteer Fire Department obtain and retain more volunteer firefighters and EMTs, the Village Council passed an ordinance for the fire department to start an incentive program.
The ordinance passed after going for three readings then being tabled for further discussion and brought back for a vote.
After much debate the ordinance passed with a 4-2 vote.
Voting in favor were Jeff Neff, Michael Port, Tom Kenworthy and Tim Haren.
Marj Warner and Bill Albright were opposed.
Warner later in the council meeting questioned whether the ordinance should stand as adopted. She stated she thought Haren should have abstained from the vote since he is the fire chief and would benefit from it.
Haren responded that he does not benefit from the passing of the ordinance and will see no incentive pay from the ordinance in his role as chief and that the ordinance allows the department try to recruit more members by being able to offer them something for their time and service.
Assistant Chief Kevin Bacon noted that the fire department is stretched thin right now and they only had four members to respond to a recent structure fire.
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Two other ordinances that were voted on and approved by Council after being debated were an ordinance to establish the position of office assistant for the Village Hall and an ordinance to establish additional temporary complementation for the village fiscal officer and tax clerk.
The ordinance to provide temporary compensation is meant to provided short term compensation to the fiscal officer and tax clerk for work and additional responsibilities they are currently performing , which required additional training for them, in addition to their regularly assigned duties.
The ordinance to create a new office assistant position was passed so the village could hire a back up person for the fiscal officer and tax clerk to work on days when they are off and keep the Village Hall open on those days.
These ordinance also passed with a 4-2 vote.
Voting in favor were Jeff Neff, Michael Port, Tom Kenworthy and Tim Haren.
Marj Warner and Bill Albright were opposed.
Ordinances that passed with all in favor votes include granting consent to ODOT to maintain and repair state roadways that run through the village and an ordinance granting the authorization to create a new fund to be known at the Byesville Park Walking Trail Fund.
Village Administrator Brennan Dudley told Council in his report that the E. Spruce Street project is 95% complete and that the roadway would be resurfaced as time and weather permitted.
Dudley also said that the Guernsey Power Station waste water line is about 85% percent and that work is continuing and they hope to make substantial progress in the next couple of weeks.
The public restrooms at Rasor’s are now open and operational.
Dudley said that proposed projects have been sent to the county engineer to be reviewed and prioritized for funding from the approximate $250 million the state has allocated for water and sewer infrastructure projects.
The four projects submitted are: S. Second Street waterline, replacement of 200k (Country Club) water tank, Marietta Road sewer extension and N 12th Street Sewer extension.
Dudley also requested a meeting of the Village Services Committee to discuss the village’s aging storm water infrastructure. The meeting will be announced when a date is confirmed.
Mayor Jay Jackson told the council the village is looking for sponsors and volunteers for the Byesville Beautification Downtown Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show and Chicken and Rib Cook-off to be held in downtown Byesville on Sept. 4.
The event is sponsored by the Byesville Village Beautification will feature nine prize categories.
There is a $15 entry fee for all vehicles. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m and the car show will run from 1-3 p.m., with the awards ceremony immediate after.
Sponsorships are $40, $100, $200, $300, $400 and $500.
For additional information contact Jackson at 740-260-3088.
Byesville council meets at 5:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at village hall, 221 Main Street.
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