FAIR PRMOTED — Debbie Hukill. left, treasurer of the Jefferson County Fair board; and Allison Bell, an Ohio State University student and past fair participant; encouraged attendance at this year’s fair, which will be held Aug. 11-17 at Friendship Park. -- Warren Scott

WINTERSVILLE — The possible expansion of garbage collection to areas outside the village, an update on the Cadiz Road project and a potential lease agreement with a natural gas company were among matters before Wintersville Council on Thursday.

Village Administrator Jesse Kosegi confirmed a business a few miles outside the village recently expressed interest in paying for its trash to be collected by the village’s sanitation crews.

Kosegi said residents of areas near Wintersville also have voiced such wishes and suggested doing so could benefit the village.

Mayor Mike Petrella agreed, saying the move would generate additional revenue for Wintersville.

He confirmed a private hauler currently serves those areas, but the village could offer them a more affordable choice.

“We can beat their prices and still be profitable,” said Petrella.

Kosegi stressed the village wouldn’t seek to provide that service to nearby Steubenville.

And Councilman Jason Mattern stated the village shouldn’t attempt to replace a service already provided by another government entity.

In related business, Kosegi said he’s learned some Wintersville businesses aren’t receiving garbage collection through the village though they are required to under a village ordinance, and he will be sending letters to inform them of that.

Following the meeting, Kosegi said the potential business customer would be treated similarly to Wintersville businesses that pay for their garbage pickups according to volume and wouldn’t pay the flat rate charged to residents.

Kosegi said he and the mayor have received many questions about the upcoming Cadiz Road paving and waterline project.

He said it’s not clear how soon the project may begin, though he hopes some work can be done this fall.

Kosegi noted it must be bid out, and W.E. Quicksall and Associates, the village’s engineering consultant, is involved with that.

The village has been awarded a $1.9 million Ohio Public Works Small Government grant to repave the road from its intersection with state Route 43 near the Kroger store to Park Drive.

The project also involves the replacement of a mile-long water line under the westbound side and replacement of 10 fire hydrants, catch basins and school zone lights near Indian Creek High School.

The village also has been approved for a $440,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation to create handicap-accessible sidewalk along the road.

Secured by the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission, the grant requires a $40,000 local match from the village.

In other business, Petrella advised council members they likely will be asked to consider a lease agreement with Ascent Energy at their next regular council meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 7.

Kosegi said the lease involves natural gas extensions under up to 26 acres of village property, for which the village may receive a signing bonus and royalties, the amount of which are to be determined.

Petrella also told council he and Kosegi are exploring the possibility of establishing a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, or DORA, in which patrons of local businesses would be permitted to carry an open container of alcohol from one place to another.

Noting two businesses on Main Street hold liquor licenses, he said the designation could benefit the monthly Wednesdays in Wintersville street fair held there.

While council may set the parameters and other conditions, such as dates and times, for the DORA, it must be approved by the Ohio Department of Liquor Control.

Also on Thursday:

• Council heard from Debbie Hukill, treasurer of the Jefferson County Fair board, who encouraged attendance at this year’s fair, which will be held Aug. 11-17 at Friendship Park.

Hukill said more than 640 youth are engaged in projects displayed at the fair, which will include a livestock sale on Aug. 16.

She introduced Allison Bell, a senior at Ohio State University and past participant, who described how participating in the fair has prepared her and others for the adult world.

Bell said she overcame an apprehension about public speaking and went on to successfully undergo an interview that led to her being crowned the 2022 Fair Queen.

• Kosegi said he will be applying for another federal Community Oriented Policing Services grant, having secured one that has supported the recent addition of Hannah Easterday, the newest officer in the Wintersville Police Department.

• Councilwoman Gael Damron, who chairs council’s beautification committee, expressed thanks to Kevin McGuire, Kevin Donnelly and Village Officer Paul Cicero for volunteering their time to returning fallen veterans banners to their posts.