Village council debates length of lease of bus garage
Jeff Smith, left, Dustin Briggs and Wes Hostetler, village council members
At the March 19 meeting, Strasburg Village Council received a draft of a political subdivision lease agreement for the village/bus garage located at 110 Railroad Ave.
Several council members thought a 20-year lease was too long for an agreement between the village and school district. Council members Dustin Briggs and Jeff Smith thought five years was a better timeline and could be reviewed at that time.
Council member Kathy Burrier also was in favor of a shorter agreement. She said it would be lost in the changes at the school and village, like in the past years. Briggs said the village has no room in the garage to store its equipment and it is sitting outside.
Mayor Bruce Metzger said equipment can be stored at the wastewater treatment plant or the fire station. It was pointed out a lean-to cannot be built next to the garage as the water well is located at the site and wells also are behind the current water plant. Briggs said since 2013 the school district has received over $50,000 a year in tax revenue from SLB Limited-Schlumberger and Lincoln Manufacturing. If the agreement is approved, the school district will be required to pay a portion of the utilities.
Council passed a resolution to hire Mike Rosenberry as the village administrator at a salary of $15,000 annually. Rosenberry is a retired U.S. Navy veteran. He served 26 years of honorable service and is a Claymont graduate. He has owned property in the village for over 17 years.
Council also did the following:
—Learned the fire siren is not operating. The siren has always been operated manually. Electricians were hired to try and find a solution.
—Heard two tornado sirens will be installed in the village and township. The village received a grant of $34,500 from Reeves Foundation and $15,000 from Rosenberry Foundation for sirens. Franklin Township trustees agreed to pay the difference for a siren. The sirens cost $36,293. Kathy Burrier, council member, wrote the grants.
—Accepted the resignations of Matt McPherson, Eric Raderschak and Elaina Berry from the fire department. Council thanked them for their service.
—Approved $500 for a color-coded zoning map.
—Heard from two residents residing on Lincoln Drive about a neighbor feeding feral cats. They said the cats are using their property to relieve themselves and you can’t violate the rights of an adjoining property owner. They were told if the person is not registered to be a cat caregiver to contact Village Hall or police. Law Director Terry Seeberger said the village was just trying to solve the cat problem.
—Heard Mayor Bruce Metzger reported he spoke to officials at Partnership for Progress and said the village can possibly receive funding for sidewalks and other improvements in the park area.
—Approved the police to join Lexipol Enforcement Services to aid the police with policies. It is updated every day.
—Heard the police received a $4,453 grant for protective vests.
—Awarded Amish Commercial Roofing of Strasburg the bid to install a roof at the village/bus garage at a cost of $53,500.
—Held an executive session to discuss police personnel and economical development. No action was taken.
Other information
Cleanup Day in the village will be April 16. A list of items accepted is available at Village Hall or on the village website.
Council congratulated the high school and middle school boys and girls basketball teams for a successful season and the Drama Club for its spring play held recently.
Council thanked Jimmy Harper of Lucky Tree Service for donating his service to trim trees in Franklin Park.
The next meeting will be held April 2 at 6 p.m. at 224 N. Bodmer Ave. in Strasburg.