By GEORGETTE HUFF
Mr. Thrifty
About 20 minutes into Carrollton Village Council's meeting on April 28, council member Bob Dunlap asked if council could "recess for three minutes" to allow him to consult with Village Solicitor Clark Battista, who had just walked in the door. The other members of council approved the recess, after which Dunlap requested an executive session to discuss "imminent court action."
Council members then met in executive session with Police Chief Ron Yeager for 30 minutes. No comments were made nor action taken when council returned to open session.
In other business, council:
* APPROVED an ordinance granting a zone change from RA to I for property owned by Carrollton Farmers Exchange.
* HEARD the Zoning Board of Appeals has approved a variance request from Robert Niemic.
* HEARD the Planning Commission has approved a land-split request from Frank Kegg for property on South Lisbon Street.
* HEARD that hydrants will be flushed on May 6, 7 and 8.
* HEARD that a sewer-rate increase for 2010 may be necessary, but council will hold off making a final decision for the time being.
* THANKED Oster Sand & Gravel for the donation of four loads of dirt for the ballfields at the Vets Park.
* WILL CONTACT the sheriff's department about illegal dumping on village-owned property on Macaw Road.
* REFERRED a request for a donation from the Fireworks Committee to the Finance Committee.
* HEARD the SADD demonstration generally went well, although the fire department's Jaws of Life failed. Village Administrator Robert Fowler explained he is trying to obtain a grant/loan package from the USDA to replace it and other outdated equipment.
* SET the following committee meetings: Legislative, 6 p.m. on May 5; Finance, 7 p.m. on May 5; Street & Alley, 5:30 p.m. on May 12; Water & Sewer, 6 p.m. on May 12; Safety, 6:30 p.m. on May 12.
* HEARD from Fowler that the village will apply for "Main Street USA" grant funding and will establish a downtown renovations committee.
* HEARD that village workers will close a railroad crossing with funding from the ORDC and from Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad.
* HEARD that a freeze on all unnecessary spending has been put in place. Fowler explained "the street department is at a significant deficit," because the village purchased almost twice the usual amount of salt this past winter and because of rising fuel costs.