Police officers will receive a temporary pay increase
Strasburg Council passed an emergency resolution approving the temporary adjustment of police officer pay at the April 1 meeting.
Cpl. Connor Bailey, Cpl. Kayla Morrison and police officer Ben Robb will receive an increase in hourly wages until six months after a new police chief is hired. Bailey and Morrison ($26-per-hour current salary) will receive a $3-per-hour temporary increase and Robb ($24.50-per-hour current salary) will received a $2-per-hour temporary increase.
Police Chief David Warrick resigned March 30 to pursue another job. He was hired in 2018 as a police officer and has been police chief for six years. Applications for police chief are on the village website.
Council authorized Jennifer Mahoney, fiscal officer, to secure $120,000 for the purchase of the 1.2 acres of land on Bodmer Avenue. The village agreed to purchase the land from Strasburg Franklin School District to construct a community center that would house the police, library and food pantry and seat 350 in the community room. A cost is to be determined for the community center, and grant requests are being explored for funding.
Council also did the following:
—Approved a quote from Wood Electric of New Philadelphia to install LED light fixtures at the tennis and pickleball courts at a cost of $42,247. The six pickleball courts will cost about $30,000 to complete. Council member Kathy Burrier obtained a $40,000 grant from The Reeves Foundation, and another grant is still pending toward the cost of the courts.
—Promoted Tad Wiles, street department, to Laborer IV. He will received an additional 53 cents per hour.
—Agreed to purchase a single axle utility trailer from Gingrich Trailer Sales at a cost of $2,895 and install an ADA handicap operation on the front door at Village Hall from Wayne Garage Door at a cost of $7,842.
—Approved Seth Crilley to hold a 5k race at Franklin Park June 7 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The race is in connection with his church.
—Learned a public hearing was held, prior to the regular meeting, for RAM Heating and Air to install a sign that exceeded the allowable square footage at 780 S. Wooster Ave. The board of zoning appeals approved the request.
—Heard a white ground stake was placed in the parking lot/railroad tracks next to the softball field. The parking area and road turnaround are the only area to be lost during the wastewater treatment plant expansion. The softball field will remain intact.
—Reminded residents utility payment postdated checks will no longer be accepted. The village does not have adequate storage to hold checks until they can be deposited.
—Heard Gessner Sealrite will pave the Fourth Street sidewalk into the park at a cost of $6,221. The target date is April 21.
Other information
A town hall meeting will be held Saturday, April 12 from 9 a.m. to noon to discuss plans for a community center.
Spring cleanup will be held Tuesday, April 15. Items to be accepted are listed on the village website.
The restrooms at Franklin Park and the bulk water distribution will be opened in mid-April due to weather changes.
The police responded to 194 calls for service in March.
There will be two bands at the community festival July 25-26. Buckeye Pullers will sponsor a kiddie tractor pull for age 11 and under, and there will be a car show July 25.
The fire department responded to 24 calls for service March 16-31. They have responded to 186 calls from Jan. 1, 2025.
The next meeting will be held April 15 at 6 p.m. at 224 N. Bodmer Ave. in Strasburg.