Mount Gilead Village Council received a proclamation at the April 17 meeting from Tree City USA recognizing the village as a Tree City for the 37th year. Pictured, left to right, are Tree Board member Jeanine Girard, Mount Gilead Mayor Donna Carver, and Tree Board Chairman Jamie Brucker.
At its April 17 meeting, Mount Gilead Village Council members listened to concerns from resident Adam Floro, who spoke about the non-functioning warning sirens in the village.
Floro said there is a need for warnings for tornadoes and weather for those in the village without phone technology.
John Harsch of Morrow County’s Office of Emergency Management said there are many cases like the major storm last June when a tornado siren would not have been activated. He added that sirens are more a technology for outside alerts and might not be heard inside homes.
Harsch said Edison had installed a siren in their village a few years ago. He thought the cost was between $25,000 and $30,000. He said it’s likely the cost is now $40,000 to $45,000.
Currently, the county pays for Hyper-Reach weather service alerts that are sent directly to phones.
Floro said his main concern is public safety and having back up to the technology for those like the elderly who don’t have access to technology.
After some discussion, Fire Chief Chad Swank said he would look into the cost of sirens.
Resident Ric Lyle asked about summer help for village mowing and yard work. He also asked about burned out village street lights and progress on the swimming pool.
In his report, Village Administrator Derek Allen said the electrical work at the pool is completed. Concrete is scheduled to be poured next week, and the fence will then be installed.
The rebuilt pool pump is installed. The handicap lift and lifeguard chairs were delivered.
Allen has asked the police to keep a higher presence at the pool as work progresses. He met with Central Ohio Security about security and lighting at the pool.
The village crew is working to clean out the pool house. Some pipes will need to be replaced. Since the pool was closed several years, there is a lot of clean up and repair.
A concern is having enough lifeguards this summer as 15 are needed. They have had several applicants. Some will still need certification. Allen hopes they can work with Cardington if additional lifeguards are needed.
In other business:
• Police Chief Adam Lakey received council approval for Jessie Brady to be hired as a full-time patrol officer with a start date of May 8.
• Floro brought up the question of where radar speeding signs are placed within the village. He said when the sign was on North Main Street, it made a big difference in slowing traffic.
Lakey said the sign revolves among several streets. It not only slows traffic, but it collects information on traffic patterns that can guide the department on where to concentrate police presence. The cost of the radar sign two years ago was $3,500. He will look into present cost.
• Fire Chief Chad Swank reported on the meeting he attended with several fire chiefs concerning recruitment. He will hire Jeremy Magglot as fire academy instructor.
• Morrow County Operations Manager Jamie Brucker reported the county is looking at the HPM site going on the market. Demolition is being planned for a building at the fairgrounds and the property by the courthouse on East High Street.
• Council approved the village’s application to the Ohio History Connection to fund the marker describing the monument on the square.
• Mayor Donna Carver read a letter from Morrow County commissioners stating they will again seek a countywide proposal for EMS services.
Carver asked Swank to meet with her about Mount Gilead issues with EMS services.
Alberta Stojkovic is a correspondent for The Morrow County Sentinel.
