Work to begin on the Bimeler Cabin in Zoar
Built in 1817, the Bimeler Cabin on Third Street is the oldest building in Zoar.
Zoar Council President Pro Tem Mark Gaynor reported to village council at its July meeting that a permit was issued for repairs to the Bimeler Cabin on Fourth Street. Gaynor said the roof is currently being repaired with other improvements to be undertaken soon.
Gaynor said the historic preservation committee also issued a permit allowing the Zoar Community Association to relocate a shed on the Sewing House property on Third Street. The shed does not conform to historic criteria. He said ZCA plans to relocate the shed to the 151 First St. property and redesign the structure to better comply with historic requirements.
Safety committee chair David Gannon brought attention to the house behind the 151 First St. building that was recently renovated. Gannon said it is owned by the Ohio Historical Society and is in very poor condition. Gaynor said ZCA is planning to tear down the property as it is not a historic building.
Gannon said he has sent a formal request to Bolivar Police Chief Randy Haugh to ensure speed checks are being conducted on both ends of the village.
Gannon reported sending a council-approved letter to the owner of the former Knutty property at the corner of Second and Park streets requesting a meeting. To date the owner has not responded.
Irwin told Gannon about a two-story shed behind the Moffett property at 217 Main St. that is deteriorating and appears to be falling down. Irwin does not believe it is a historic building.
Reports to council
Irwin said the Bolivar Fire Department agreed to remove the old antenna tower at the event center as part of a training exercise. Council voiced approval. The Public Entities Pool of Ohio had recommended removal of the tower for safety reasons.
Irwin requested $100 to purchase identification markers for the village truck to be taken from the recycling rebate in the street fund. Council approved the purchase.
Gannon said he spoke with Mineral City Mayor Laurie Green to ask how the village approached zoning violators. According to Gannon, Green said the village gets a favorable response when they contact the owner and offer help to correct the violations. She also said the village also has issued zoning violation letters and enforced the zoning code if residents are unwilling to correct the issue.
Gaynor reported finding acoustic panels for the meeting room in the event center at a cost of $50-$100 each. Mayor Tom Klingaman asked Gaynor to hold off on all event center purchases until a budget has been established. Smith will research all donation and rental money received for the event center, accrue all expenses to date for the event center, and bring a report to the next council meeting for discussion.
Klingaman said he and Smith are working together to pursue funding for the cemetery expansion. He said estimates received to date for the land survey and installation of an access road total approximately $5,500.
Klingaman said a grant will be sought from the Ohio Department of Commerce to help fund the project. Irwin recommended contacting the Ohio Utility Protection Service to find out if any underground utilities have been installed in the area.
In other matters
Fiscal officer Patty Smith reported meeting with the PEP IT representative to evaluate the security of her home computer. Recommendations the representative made were already in place, according to Smith.
Gaynor said he will contact Kimble and request they use Fifth Street to leave the village after picking up trash from the village garage dumpster instead of using Foltz, which is not approved for the weight of the refuse trucks.
Bolivar police officer Eric Minor briefed council members on using the nuisance dog barking ordinance in response to a violation being investigated by the village.
Zoar Village Council meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Zoar Village Hall and Event Center meeting room. All meetings are open to the public.