Village Administrator Derek Allen gave Mount Gilead Council members details on spring clean-up and Arbor Day activities at the April 3 council meeting.
Spring clean-up will be on April 13, 14 and 15. Residents may put things at the curb for crews to pick up. There will be a charge for large items such as sofas, tables and other large items.
Items for disposal can also be taken to the Cherry Street parking lot where crews can help unload. There will be no charge for large items taken to the Cherry Street parking lot for disposal.
Arbor Day Observance is April 17 at Whetstone Industries at 10 a.m. Mayor Donna Carver will read a proclamation for Mount Gilead’s 37th year as a Tree City.
Allen said Arbor Day will be Arbor Week for Mount Gilead this year. April 18 the Morrow County Commissioners will be at the Dog Pound for an activity and April 19 Park Elementary classes will have a program. On April 21, Tri-Rivers students will do planting and landscaping at Whetstone on Bank Street.
Quite a bit of effort and reporting goes into “Tree City” designation every year. Allen said it is required the village spend $2 per person on planting and a forestry program to be a Tree City. There is also a Tree Board, a Tree Ordinance and an Arbor Day Observance.
• Police Chief Adam Lakey reported car 5 is upfitted and ready to be placed into service after a radio is received.
Orchard Drive is still the subject of directed patrol with a marked decrease in speeding reported by officers. It is requested the radar speed sign be moved to Orchard Drive.
March 24 the department was audited by Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS) and found to be in compliance with no issues.
First Presbyterian Church held a breakfast fundraiser March 22 for the School Resource Office (SRO) program and raised $560.66 with a record number attending the breakfast.
• Fire Chief Chad Swank reported Ladder 19 was refurbished and utility 17 serviced. They are checking on a leaky roof at the Fire Department.
• Council approved paving of Tower Lane to be done this year with the estimate of $40,000. Council member Mark Philips noted it was the street in the worst condition in the village survey.
Council approved sending a letter to ODOT requesting a change in the speed limit from 35 MPH to 25 MPH on West Marion Street. This is due to West Marion Street having several accidents in past years.
• Carver reported on progress with fireworks donations for the 4th of July celebration on Sunday, July 2. Village council has donated $7,500 of the $15,000 needed.
Additional donations totaling $1,550 for fireworks have been made by Andy Bower of Edward Jones, Morrow County Hospital, Park National Bank, Kay and Don Hines, Derek and Darby Allen and Donna Carver and family.
Carver and council members hope to find more sponsors and donors to bring the Independence Day Fireworks to Mount Gilead this July.
