The Garrettsville Village Council convened on Dec. 11, 2024, in the council chambers, with Mayor Rick Patrick calling the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Present were council members Deb Wordell, John Chambers, Sheri Johnson, Tom Hardesty, Richard Beatty, and Jeff Kaiser. Village officials included fiscal officer Donna Love and solicitor Bill Mason, alongside police representatives Sergeant Keith Whan, Officer Ahrens and Chief Tim Christopher.
The council reviewed and approved the minutes from its Nov. 13 meeting. Financial reports and income tax receipts were examined, and the payment of the month’s bills was accepted.
Council passed Resolution 2024-30, honoring Mark Brady for his distinguished service to Garrettsville. Brady, who served on the council from Jan. 1, 2022, until his death in July 2024, was a U.S. Army veteran and a dedicated community member. The resolution recognized his integral role in various local organizations.
The council conducted the first reading of Ordinance 2024-36, which sets appropriations for village expenses in 2025. Discussion largely centered on proposed salary increases for village employees in the street department. Richard Beatty raised concerns about the sustainability of an annual 5-7% increase, suggesting a 3.5% adjustment instead. He pointed to factors such as a modest population growth of only 270 residents over the past 20 years and an aging demographic that could result in reduced income tax revenue.
Tom Hardesty disagreed, arguing that the raises are necessary to address historical salary gaps and remain competitive with surrounding communities. He emphasized the importance of the street department employees, saying, “The reason we’re in such good shape is because of our employees.” Hardesty also noted that industrial and residential developments, rather than commercial businesses, generate more revenue for the village. Mayor Rick Patrick supported adhering to the budgeted raises for 2025, with plans to reevaluate mid-year. Jeff Kaiser and Deb Wordell expressed support for maintaining the current allocations, while Wordell suggested reevaluating the situation in 2026.
To address ongoing financial concerns, Beatty proposed forming a budget committee that would meet quarterly to provide updates and recommendations to the council.
Ordinance 2024-37, authorizing the purchase of 0.5970 acres from Ruth Sheehan for Park Cemetery expansion, was passed as an emergency measure. Under the terms of the ordinance, the village approved a $1,000 net offer, with the village covering closing costs. Mayor Rick Patrick and Fiscal Officer Donna Love are authorized to take the necessary actions to finalize the transaction. Prior to the ordinance’s passage, Councilman Tom Hardesty amended the purchase contract to reflect these terms, which were already outlined in the ordinance but not in the initial contract draft. The ordinance takes effect immediately upon passage, ensuring timely execution of the agreement.
The council reviewed a letter from resident Zack Fox concerning tabled Ordinance 2024-31, which seeks to regulate weed growth. Fox advocated for the ordinance to focus on addressing the root causes of neglect and aesthetic preferences rather than strictly enforcing limitations on vegetation height. In the letter, Fox emphasized the importance of preserving the village’s historical charm through home gardens, stating that abundant landscaping had once significantly contributed to Garrettsville’s small-town appeal. Councilman Tom Hardesty responded by noting that the revised ordinance language now accommodates gardening concerns and exempts “no mow” landscaping practices, ensuring that it would not hinder residents’ ability to maintain unique and flourishing gardens.
Chief Christopher reported on the success of this year’s “Shop with a Hero” program, which saw participation from the Garrettsville Police Department, Community EMS, Garrettsville-Freedom-Nelson Fire Department, and Hiram Police. Families for the program were recommended by Garrettsville’s People Tree organization and Crestwood school guidance counselors. Officer Emily Ahrens noted that expanding the program to include other first responders has increased its impact and expressed optimism about serving more families in 2025.
In other police matters, Hardesty asked Chief Christopher about the status of the village’s police cruiser replacement. Sergeant Keith Whan provided photographs and detailed information about the vehicle to the dealership the department is working with, enabling them to run numbers for a potential trade-in to help offset the cost of a new cruiser.
John Chambers provided an update on the village siren, noting he had contacted the company and confirmed that no action would be taken until after the new year, which was acceptable to the vendor. Fiscal officer Donna Love and solicitor Bill Mason extended holiday greetings to attendees. Mayor Rick Patrick reflected on the year’s accomplishments, including strong collaboration among council members and the success of the recent clock tower lighting event on Small Business Saturday. Patrick shared positive feedback from residents, who praised the village’s festive appearance.
Richard Beatty shared holiday wishes and recognized Dick Brockett and former mayor Bob Mishler for their contributions to Garrettsville’s development. Hardesty discussed the potential for senior housing projects to address shifting population dynamics, while Kaiser noted yards were damaged by plowing. Patrick noted that the street department typically makes repairs to lawns damaged by snow plowing in the spring.
