ST. PARIS – Village council approved moving forward with a project aimed at creating more parking at Harmon Park during Monday’s regular meeting.
Village Administrator Joe Sampson said the park committee asked about different improvements that could be done at Harmon Park. One thing the committee believed would be a good improvement is parking.
“They have talked about taking the tennis court and not utilizing that as a tennis court any longer,” Sampson said. “Not hardly anybody uses that and felt like making a parking lot out of it would be more of a benefit to the park and make it more rent-able than as a tennis court.”
Sampson said there are fences in the surrounding area that would have to be taken down and a new fence would have to be put up on the east side of the old tennis court. Sampson said bids were received from two companies to put up new fences.
After a discussion on the work that needs to be done, council approved going with a bid from Lost Creek Lawn and Fence Company by a vote of 5-1, with council member Tyler Adkins voted against the motion.
Council approves part-time hiring
Sampson informed council that the village streets, parks and land superintendent would be undergoing surgery, leaving the village understaffed heading into leaf pickup.
Sampson asked council for permission to hire a part-time person to fill in if the village needs extra help. The part-time worker would be hired at $10 an hour and would not work more than 35 hours a week on an as-needed basis.
Council unanimously approved this hiring through Dec. 5.
Christmas in the Village
Council approved multiple requests related to village events that will take place over the course of the next few months including this year’s Christmas in the Village festivities.
During the public comments portion of the meeting, BJ Dever said Christmas in the Village will take place on Dec. 3 starting at 10 a.m. Santa Claus is scheduled to arrive by fire truck at 1 p.m. and a live Nativity Scene will be held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. weather permitting at Wooten’s lot.
Sleigh rides will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. starting at the municipal building. A craft show and food vendors will be available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dever said a tree lighting will be held at 6 p.m. followed by a lighted parade.
Council approved use of the municipal building and the necessary streets for the festivities.
Dever said the Kelly Miller Circus would return to the village on either May 22 or 23, 2017, and the Pony Wagon Days Festival will be held on Sept. 7 through 9, 2017.
In other action:
•Reneer reiterated Trick or Treat or Beggar’s Night will be held on Oct. 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. He noted the village’s population doubles on that night and asked for drivers to drive slow. Council also approved allowing Sampson to enter into agreement with a local church for a Halloween event at the municipal building.
•Council member Niven Jester informed council that a street survey the village entered into contract for is complete and village representatives are going to review the plan in November. Council approved entering into a contract for the survey in September.
