MOUNT GILEAD — Mount Gilead Council members met with Gilead Trustees in their annual joint meeting May 2 at the Mount Gilead Firehouse. Their reports demonstrate cooperation in shared resources.

Township Trustee Dave Lewis was the representative for the township accompanied by Trustee Harry Arnold. Lewis reported Gilead Township received a $1,000 grant for tree work and an additional grant of $1,000 for tree work at the Bryn Zion Cemetery. Grants were obtained through applications by Ric Lyle.

Lewis said the township appreciates using the village tractor hoe occasionally. It isn’t needed often and it saves the township expense.

Mount Gilead Village Manager Derek Allen said the village and township have worked well together on several projects through the year.

Police Report

Chief of Police Adam Lakey reported that the village police force completed 200 total hours of training.

Two officers attended a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team training and are now CIT certified. The training is sponsored by the Delaware-Morrow Mental Health and Recovery Services Board. It is free and helps to better prepare officers to effectively respond to a mental health crisis.

All village police officers attended a one-day training course at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for Emergency Vehicle Operations. The course was also free of cost and was instructed by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Lakey attended a 40-hour Semi-Auto Pistol Instructor training at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy and is now certified to do requalification and training for the Department.

Fire Department Report

Fire Chief Chad Swank was pleased with the turnout for Fire Fest last week. Both he and council members were glad so many children and families attended. He said calls to the department are up this spring.

Council approved two personnel who completed their training: they are Mike Thomas, part-time fire fighter and Brent Hohenberger, academy instructor.

Committee Reports

Kay Hines said Joe Johnson and his wife attended the sign committee meeting and they had a good outcome for the meeting. Johnson said he preferred signs for state athletic winners to be posted at the entrance to the village, rather than on the square or at other locations in the village.

The committee hopes to partner with the athletic boosters in making the signs and also paying for the signs.

Hines said the committee also believes it is important to recognize all students who have made great accomplishments, whether in academics, arts, or music. They also see there are other signs at the entrance to the village that are in need of repair or replacement.

Mayor Jamie Brucker said he had received a call from Superintendent Dr. Zack Howard who said the athletic boosters will be able to work with Johnson and the council on the signs.

Council member Chris Sherbourne asked if the village will also make a policy on signs. There was general agreement that it will be good to have a policy to refer to in the future.

Several council members have received complaints about pet owners not cleaning up after their pets. Allen said most areas of the village have no problem with this. There are only a couple locations in town where people need to be reminded to clean up after their pets.

Sherbourne said the information and application for the Tucker award is on the village website. The deadline for applications is June 6, 2022.

Council Member Emily Shaffer said the Long Range Planning Committee is considering setting up a 501(c) 3 (non-profit designation for an organization) for some village projects.

Brucker read a note from Morrow County Commissioners clarifying the Brownfield Grant and the Demolition Grant awarded to Morrow County. These are reimbursement grants for $1 million and $500,000 respectively. They are being administered by the Morrow County Development office and have yet to be awarded to anyone. Applications are to be submitted by April 30.

Administrator’s Report

Allen reported the spring cleanup of trash netted 10 tons of trash and two truckloads of metal. He said the Arbor Day work project went well with 28 hard-working kids helping with planting about 50 shrubs and mulching around shrubs at the playground.

Paving is underway in the village with 700 tons of base repair. Paving is on Neal, Delaware, Cherry Street Cul de Sac, Cedar, Pine and Elm. Allen said Kokosing is doing an excellent job. The Lincoln Avenue grant project is next.

The Cherry Street playground and dog park boast fresh mulch and new bushes planted on Arbor Day by a group of 28 hard-working students.
https://www.morrowcountysentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2022/05/web1_PXL_20220504_183051034_2.jpgThe Cherry Street playground and dog park boast fresh mulch and new bushes planted on Arbor Day by a group of 28 hard-working students.

By Alberta Stojkovic

For the Sentinel