Garrettsville – At the December 10th Garrettsville Village Council meeting, Mayor Patrick called Garrettsville police officer Timothy Christopher forward as he read Resolution 2014-38, which recognizes the seven years of service of police dog Taz and authorized retirement of the canine. It further authorized officer Christopher’s assumption of ownership in exchange for $1. Taz was retired earlier this year for health reasons. He now resides with his handler, Officer Christopher and his family. Christopher thanked the mayor and council for their dedication and continued support of the canine program and, though he will not be the canine handler any more, he will still be involved in a supervisory capacity. Officer Keith Whan will be Garrettsville Police’s new canine handler.
Next the Mayor called police officer David Firtik forward as he read Resolution 2014-39, which recognizes Firtik for receiving the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) award for excellence in the enforcement of the laws against drunk driving and apprehension of impaired drivers.
In other business Councilwoman Becky Harrington requested council’s approval for drawings to be done for the sidewalks and streetscape improvements for the blighted Buckeye Block area. The drawings will get the long funding process started for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) that the Portage County Commissioners awarded the village last May.
Funds from the grant will be distributed in 2015 and are earmarked for streetscape improvements on Main Street in the area affected by the fire. According to Harrington, even though there are no current plans for reconstruction, the sidewalks in that area are damaged and this is a first step in making the area safe and a bit more aesthetically pleasing for the residents.
The CDBG grant requires no matching funds from the village. The village applied for the grant as part of an effort to rebuild Main Street after the devastating fire on March 22 that destroyed one quarter of downtown Main Street buildings. The application that was approved stated the project budget at $78,250, $76,675 would come from CDBG money for new 14-foot wide sidewalks and new lighting and the village would commit $1,575 for trees.
Council President Tom Hardesty updated council on the Liberty Street project that would correct drainage issues and slow deterioration from truck traffic on Liberty Street between Windham and Water Streets. His hope is for the village to qualify for issue 1 monies to fund the project, currently estimated between $125,000 and $150,000.
Council went into executive session for reasons of personnel compensation and discussion of property acquisition.
If you’d like to know more of what is happening in your community attend a meeting. The next regular Village Council meeting is scheduled for January 14, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall.
