Ross Gallabrese HEAR PRESENTATION — Wintersville Village Solicitor Jake Linn, left, Mayor Mike Petrella, center, and Administrator Jesse Kosegi listened Thursday while representatives from TGS talked about their plans to conduct underground mapping in the area.

WINTERSVILLE — Members of Village Council Thursday heard a presentation from representatives of an energy and data company that is interested in doing underground mapping in the area.

Kyle Ayres and Julie Gordon offered an outline of work their company, TGS, would do to produce detailed geological maps of a 60-square-mile area. The maps, they said, are critical to the work of oil and gas companies that might be interested in horizontal drilling in the region.

They said their company was prepared to get all needed permits and talk with landowners.

No drilling would be involved as part of this project, which they hoped to begin before the end of the year.

Ayres and Gordon added their company was ready to work with village officials to make the process go as smoothly as possible. They said recording the actual measurements was similar to an ultrasound.

The company already has talked with members of Steubenville City Council and planned to meet with members of Toronto City Council. Mapping already has been done north and south of this area, they added.

Also during Thursday’s meeting, council passed an ordinance to amend and revise the village’s appropriations of expenditures for 2026.

Members also took no action on a proposed ordinance regarding trash and rubbish in the village, instead referring the issue to the streets and sanitation committee, which is made up of Jason Mattern, Dr. Pennie Scarpone and Carmen DeStefano. Village Solicitor Jake Linn asked that he be included in the meeting to help ensure the ordinance which is ultimately drafted reflects what council members want to accomplish.

Charlene Prentice, the village’s representative to the Steel Valley Regional Transit Authority, reported that while ridership was up 7.9 percent, fares and passes were down 23.1 percent and expenses were up by 21.6 percent.

Village Administrator Jesse Kosegi said the clean-up had gotten off to a good start. He added village crews had been doing patching work and curb work. He added that the water billing system was working well, saying that it gives customers many options about how they can receive and pay their bills.

Kosegi said the village likely will see a reduction in postage costs as more customers register for e-billing. He said the village currently sends between 1,700 and 1,900 bills each month at a cost of $777.

Mayor Mike Petrella said that the village had received $71,405.38 in marijuana tax revenue from the state for May.

Council also learned:

• The Hot Dogs for Homes fundraiser will be held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Edward P. Laman Community Dog Park. Sponsored by Cedar One Realty, the event will benefit the Jefferson County Humane Society and the Jefferson County Animal Shelter;

• The village’s bulk pickup will continue on Mondays this month. Collection for residents whose trash is collected on Wednesdays will be today. Collection for residents whose trash is collected on Thursdays will be June 15 and collection for residents whose trash is collected on Fridays will be June 22;

• Petrella said the village is looking for a director for this year’s summer parks program. The previous director had to step away from the post because of personal issues, he said. Persons interested in the position can contact the Village Building; and

• FOP Lodge 97 will hold its annual golf outing June Sunday at Spring Hills Golf Course.

Council’s next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. July 2 at the Municipal Building.