WESTON – Do the residents of the village want a community center enough to support it financially?
Council members wrestled with that question, and others, during their last meeting.
They are generally agreed they want to purchase from the Otsego Board of Education the parcel of land
which contains the two ball diamonds, but Councilman Shad Kendall warned it could cost $20,000 to move
three transformers behind the vacant school building which are required to feed the lights at the
diamonds.
He would like to wait to purchase the ball diamond land until after hearing from residents during a
public forum in spring what they would like to see done with the school. Kendall reported "a lot of
people" said they would support a community center.
But Mayor Howard Lashuay disagreed about the support and said he is not in favor of the project.
Councilman Mark Sheffer expressed concern the village ran $70,000 over its revenue receipts in 2010.
Also, "if people in the town have voted down school levies, I think they’ll have a hard time with a
community center."
In addition, he cited the alternatives of American Legion Post 409 opening up its new location to the
community and the "fabulous new church" which Sonlight Assembly of God is building, which may
be used in the future.
It was agreed that since only four council members were present, the issue would be discussed at a later
meeting.
Lashuay reported some residents are pushing their snow into the streets, and village rules do not allow
items like grass clippings or snow to be put in the street. He said he made one resident shovel the snow
back onto his property.
Members briefly discussed a problem with snowmobile drivers in the village, including nine of them who
speeded past the mayor’s house at 1 a.m.
"Not a one doing under 70" miles per hour, noted Lashuay.
Councilman Bill Morey said a snowmobile with cleats can tear up a sidewalk.
The Ohio Revised Code sets rules for snowmobile drivers.
Donald Feller and Rachel Latta, from Feller, Finch and Associates, reminded council that Community
Development Block Grant applications are due in April and urged them to think about projects.
Feller informed members that many communities are implementing a monthly storm water utility fee, ranging
from $3 a month up to $8. The fees are collected to build up a fund to do storm water projects, such as
Northwood has done for eight years without dipping into its general fund.
"It is something you might want to think about for emergency repairs," said Latta.
Also during the meeting, council:
¥ Heard baton sign-up will be held Feb. 19 at the village hall, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
¥ Discussed a public hearing that will be required to change the zoning of the old American Legion
property from residential to commercial.
