Officials sworn in, resolutions presented in Mingo Junction
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STEUBENVILLE -- Village of Mingo Junction officials were sworn in during the final council meeting of 2023, and the council presented resolutions honoring a longtime village servant and a business for nearly 100 years in operation.
Sworn in to the Mingo Junction Village Council were incumbents Jodilynn Fitzgerald, beginning her third term on council; Patricia Cramblett, second term, and Jack Brettell, fourth term. Newcomer Patti Mannarino was sworn in for her first term.
Also sworn in were Mayor Judy Ruckman and Village Clerk Jay Fabian, both serving their first terms.
The first of two resolutions presented recognized Pesta's Country Store at 300 Standard Ave. for its 99-year anniversary in business. A family-owned-and-operated grocery store and delicatessen, Pesta's was opened in 1925 by first-generation immigrants Andrew and Susan Pesta.
Resolution 2023-18 described Pesta's as "a great place with something for everyone" and "known for the friendly greeting every time you enter. Family employee Patricia Pesta and owner Rebecca Pesta, granddaughter of Andrew Pesta, were present to receive a copy of the resolution.
The second resolution, 2023-19, honored Councilman Michael "Satch" P. Herrick for his more than 25 years of service to the village as a councilman and village recreation director. Formerly a teacher and a coach for the Mingo Junction High School football team, Herrick led the team twice to the Ohio High School Athletic Association state playoffs in Division V, Region 17, finishing No. 2 in 1982 and No. 3 in 1988 -- the latter date being the team's first appearance in the OHSAA playoffs.
Herrick recalled meeting his wife, Alberta Herrick, at Mingo Junction High School when he was a quarterback and she was the head majorette. He expressed pride and gratitude for his fellow council members, three of whom he had taught or coached.
"It's been a ride," Herrick said of years of service, adding later: "To the people of Mingo Junction, thank you very much."
Separately, Fire and EMS Chief Brandon Montgomery presented $300 to a local charity, raised by department members who participated in No-Shave November by growing mustaches, a tradition Montgomery hopes to make yearly.
Montgomery said as much as $175,000 will come in for EMS billing by year's end, much more than the typically expected $110,000. In addition, Montgomery said, an appeal has been received by the Insurance Service Office with the hope of boosting the village's Public Protection Classification rating from a three to a two -- that city-comparable score was helped by "community risk bonus points" from demolishing abandoned buildings, he said.
Also, Kyle Moffat, chief operator of the Mingo Junction Wastewater Department, reported "very good news" from the Environmental Protection Agency. An update from the EPA called attention to the village wastewater facility's 41 percent decrease in incoming material. Moffat said this is due to various upgrades on the facility, and the decrease means money saved in treatment chemicals and electricity.
In other business:
• Fitzgerald said council needs to update the village's codified ordinances on the web, which have not been updated since 2017. Council approved a motion to begin the process at the beginning of 2024.
Brettell said it will cost as much as $20,000 to make the update, which should be done every two years. Fitzgerald said council will have to send the approved legislation to the administrative office of American Legal Publishing, which hosts the final ordinances, and the organization will arrange a payment for codification.
• At the request of an East Center Street resident, Councilman Mark Baker said he would drive around the area to assess the lighting situation, as the resident had told him the area was too dark.