Wintersville Council taking care of business

WINTERSVILLE -- Upcoming gas line replacements, a village ordinance against parking on snow-covered streets were among business and a handful of police matters were among business before Wintersville Council on Thursday.

Village Administrator Walt Ziemba said crews with Columbia Gas will be replacing gas lines in the Canton Road area from the Kroger store north to Meadow Road and starting with Springdale Avenue on Jan. 18.

Ziemba said the company is expected to notify residents affected by the project, which will involve about 1,700 feet of gas line.

Last year the company replaced lines in the Terrace Drive area as part of a regional effort to upgrade aging infrastructure.

Council also heard from Aaron Pearch, a resident of Starkey Boulevard, who asked to be made an exception to the ordinance against parking on snow-covered streets.

The ordinance states that from Nov. 1 through March 15, residents should move their vehicles into driveways to accommodate village crews plowing snow from the often narrow streets.

But Pearch noted the ordinance also allows those without driveways or with steep driveways or other conditions to seek an exemption through the village's street committee.

Pearch said he has a steep driveway and a pregnant wife.

Mayor Bob Gale told Pearch village officials would look into his request and met with Pearch after the meeting to discuss it further.

In other business, Police Chief Art Fowler told council the village's police department has met the first in a series of standards for use of force and the hiring and retention of staff set by the Ohio Law Enforcement Collaborative.

He said the group is comprised of representatives of Buckeye State Sheriffs Association, Ohio Association of Police Chiefs, state attorney general's office and other organizations that have established high standards for various aspects of law enforcement, from bias-free policing to the use of body cameras.

Many aim to improve relations between police and the community, said Fowler, who organized a training session involving the leaders of other area law enforcement agencies.

In related business, council members approved the permanent hiring of City Officer Jake McGinnis following completion of his six-month probationary period.

Fowler advised them he has promoted Auxiliary Officer Meya Potenzini to full-time and following her probationary period, will present her to council for permanent status.

Council also authorized Fowler to seek bids for a 2011 Ford Crown Victoria police cruiser being retired by the department.

In other business:

• Council re-organized for 2021, naming Councilman Robbie Martin its president, which entails presiding over meetings in Gale's absence.

Martin has been council president 10 of the 20 years on which he's served on the board, often alternating with Councilman Bob Merryman.

Though the majority voted for Martin for the seat, Councilman Randy Spence also was nominated.

Council members agreed to continue to serve on the following committees: Merriman, Martin and Jason Mattern, finance; Spence, Merriman and Dr. Michael Ross, annexation; Mattern, Ross and Gael Damron, council rules and ordinances; Martin, Spence and Mattern, streets and sanitation; Mattern, Spence and Merriman, water and sewer; Ross, Damron and Martin, personnel; Damron, Mattern and Martin, safety; and Martin, Ross and Merriman, recreation.

It was announced the finance committee will meet at 6 p.m. Jan. 14.

And council supported Gale's suggestion for council to meet just once a month, at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday, for the foreseeable future in light of the pandemic.

• Winners of the village's Christmas lighting contest were announced.

They are: Christopher Madder of 117 Woodland Park, James Branagan of 324 Woodridge Drive, Michelle Maurer of 226 Meadowbrook Drive, Thomas Bodo of 185 Crawford Ave., Margaret Cline of 270 Woodridge Drive, Brittany Lamp of 405 Eisenhower Drive, James Maul of 317 Meadowbrook Drive, Lou Almonte of 198 Rex Ave., James Lukacena of 234 Meadowbrook Drive and Stacey Pinkerton of 167 Parkview Drive.

This Christmas, council agreed to raise the number of winners from 7 to 10, with each receiving a $50 gift card.

• Council met in executive session to discuss negotiations for property but took no action on the matter.