By LORRETTA HUNKER

Special to the Herald-Star

TILTONSVILLE – Selection of a new Village Council member, coyote sightings and a major water line replacement project took the spotlight at last week’s council meeting.

Dan Signorini, who had applied for the vacant council post, and was named to fill the seat that had been vacated by George Beard. He will be present for the July 15 council session, which will begin at 7 p.m.

Police Chief Jerry Davis reported coyotes have been spotted behind the Buckeye Local school building. Coyotes also had been discussed at the May meeting when J.T. Leerby, a wildlife nuisance officer, had reported he’d caught a female coyote. Leerby thought she had a litter which didn’t survive. Council at that time decided to wait until fall to handle the matter.

“I don’t feel we should wait,” said Davis after reporting the recent sightings.

Mayor Kris Prati noted there are two options – wait until fall or allow a resident who has made an offer to trap coyotes now. In May, Prati had said that she didn’t want to back off on the problem.

Council agreed to let the resident trap the coyotes now, noting that school will begin in August.

Village Administrator Carl Sgalla presented a letter from Hammontree & Associates Ltd., that gives an overview and opinion regarding a major water line improvement project.

The project involves existing water lines in Maiden Lane connect mains along Walker Street, Alley K, Mound Street, Alley L, Grandview Avenue and Market Street. It was noted that village officials have determined that the Maiden Lane lines and appurtenances are at or beyond service life and are ready for replacement.

The old lines consist of approximately 1,000 linear feet of 4-inch, 6-inch and 8-inch pipe. Possible cost figures were given. Council took no action at present on the project for which grant funds are expected.

In other matters, Sgalla reported the village received a Jefferson County recreation grant of $3,000 for a table and a grill for the park at the ballfield.

Council approved a motion authorizing Davis to purchase a “four-in-one” piece of equipment including a copier, a fax machine, a scanner and a printer.

Permission was given to Davis for the use of council chambers and the parking lot for a three-day training session. A date has not been set because the police chief is awaiting word from the attorney general’s office.

Davis reported he and the mayor had toured the village, and some grass and junk notices have been sent where work is needed.

Prati asked members of council’s property committee to also tour the town to see if more notices should be sent out.

Councilman Ray Viola reported about oil tankers traveling through town. Davis mentioned a village ordinance that prohibited such vehicles from going through town.

Prati said the remodeling and improvement projects under way in the village are very impressive. She thanked residents and noted that anyone needing a building permit is to apply for a permit one to two weeks prior to construction.

Clerk-Treasurer Korrene Prince requested a workshop meeting of council be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday so council could review the budget.

She said it has to be approved at the July 15 meeting, and it will be in the newspaper 10 days for review.

Sgalla reported the roller is back from Southeastern Equipment, and hot patching of streets is under way. All curbed streets have been swept, and the Ohio Department of Transportation swept the south end of Walden and Third streets. Also, inspection and cleaning of catch basins is under way.

The village administrator presented a quotation for a new comminutor at the main sewer plant. A replacement unit is being awaited for installation.

Council granted permission for Sgalla to attend a rural community conference meeting in Columbus during August.

As requested by a Maple Avenue resident, council approved a motion to install a stop sign at the corner of Vine and Hodges street.

A complaint was voiced that dog waste hadn’t been cleaned from a paved alley. The complainant also asked about the garbage ordinance, indicating he thought garbage was to be in cans.

Davis said he had been to the dog owner’s home three times, and no one was home. Later, the police chief talked to the resident who cleaned up the waste and also applied bleach.

It was reported diapers and other trash weas found in that alley.

Davis said the resident would be given copies of dog-related and garbage ordinances, adding that garbage is to be in cans. The police chief also said when his officers were there, the dog in question was always tied up.

Prati reported a fundraiser is planned from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at Mazeroski Park, Rayland, to benefit Glen Robbins resident Judy Jackson, who needs a double-lung transplant.