Signs of improvement are cropping up in Mineral City
Efforts to clean up properties in Mineral City are paying off after years of unsuccessful attempts by village council.
Signs of improvement are cropping up in Mineral City
A years-long effort on the part of Mineral City Council members to clean up the town are starting to pay off. Members of the zoning committee said various rubbish piles around the village are being cleaned up, junk vehicles have been removed from North High Street and cars are now parking with traffic on Center Street.
Remnants of a house fire on Miners Street also have been cleared away, according to the property owner Roger Anderson, who reported to council at its Sept. 12 meeting.
Mayor Laurie Green attributed the success to instituting measures that begin with offering help to the property owner.
“Taking a kind and neighborly approach before sending letters or issuing notices has worked, and it has helped us more than anything we've done before,” Green said.
It also was reported that 11 notices have been sent to residents who are not removing their trash cans from the street after garbage pickup. Zoning inspector Sam Moore said he plans to schedule an asbestos inspection on a property slated for demolition.
Moore also said absolutely no burning is allowed in the village at this time due to a statewide ban due to drought.
Village solicitor Cassidy Wahlie said the Tuscarawas County sheriff will serve papers to a property owner on First Street with multiple junk vehicles in the yard.
In addition, Green said a grant applied for from the Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation is being held up at the state level. The funds are being sought to pay for demolition of an abandoned house on Miners Street. Green said she consulted with Scott Reynolds of the TCEDC and was told the village may be able to tear down and be reimbursed with grant funds.
In voting
Council voted to change the village’s two traffic lights on High Street to red and yellow flashing lights for a 90-day period as required by the Ohio Department of Transportation, after which they will be taken down. Stop signs will be installed at the intersections of Miners and Grant streets.
Council also approved a $59 expenditure to repair an ambulance pickup hose and to pay for Green’s hotel accommodations during the Ohio Municipal League Conference in Columbus Oct. 21-25. The $450 registration is being paid by the Mayor’s Partnership for Progress fund.
In other reports
Parks and recreation committee chair Rick Cain said he will apply for a grant to cover the cost of new playground equipment for the park. Cain also said the playground at the site of the former primary school is still in compliance with United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, according to Mark Murphy from the Tusky Valley School District.
Council President Terry Nill thanked the fire department for their help with the recent golf outing, which netted $8,164 to benefit the library. Nill said tickets are being sold now at the library for the Oct. 19 Cow Patty Bingo fundraiser. Tickets also can be purchased by contacting Terry or Beth Nill.
Friends of the Library member Beth Nill said the organization is conducting a coat drive from now until Nov. 2. New or lightly used coats, hats and mittens are needed and will be distributed at the library on Saturday, Nov. 23.
It also was reported that a grant is being sought from the Haman Foundation for new siding for the library.
It was announced trick or treat will be held Saturday, Oct. 26 from 5-7 p.m.
Mineral City Council meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 5 p.m. at Village Hall. All meetings are open to the public.