BELLAIRE, Ohio – Village workers exposed to sewerage and human waste, frozen water meters and personnel matters were among the topics Village of Bellaire council members tackled at their Thursday evening meeting, a marathon session that lasted more than two hours.
Village of Bellaire council members began their Thursday night meeting by entering into a 40-minute executive session to discuss police and litigation matters. Council later agreed to pay $2,500 for an unspecified litigation expense.
Council approved ordinances for 5 percent pay raises for two positions, the police chief role and the fiscal officer role. Council members voted to suspend the three required public readings to approve these wage increases. Council unanimously approved both wage increases.
The police chief’s salary increases to $70,560 per year effective Jan. 1, 2025. J.J. Watson serves as the current police chief.
The fiscal officer’s salary increases to $71,400 per year effective Jan. 1, 2025. Marla Krupnik serves as the current fiscal officer.
Full-time village employee Mary Louise Nixon Haglioizou currently has dual roles as the mayor’s assistant and clerk of council, but is resigning from the mayor’s assistant piece effective March 28. Council agreed to retain Nixon Haglioizou as clerk of council and spin the mayor’s assistant duties into a new part-time job. Council plans to post this job publicly for anyone interested in applying.
Village tax administrator Janice Sable has served Bellaire for more than 50 years, but now as her tenure is ending, the village will utilize financial services from the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA).
Councilwoman Janet Richardson reported that the village had $4.2 million in revenue and $4.1 million in expenses in 2024. They netted $112,000.
Council is considering a spending freeze to stop all non-emergency expenditures along with a wage freeze.
Council discussed issues with the new water meters freezing due to the cold weather. Water department worker Zach Warner said meters located in areas like unheated basements are prone to freezing. Warner added that the newer meters have plastic housings instead of brass like the old meters did, so the new meters can freeze.
Some council members stressed that residents are responsible to pay for broken meters but other members suggested educating the public on how to better care for their meters by perhaps wrapping them in insulated tape. Council also discussed adding instructions on the water bill on how to take care of your meter in cold weather.
Warner and village administrator Jay Binger expressed concerns over water department employees being exposed to human waste and sewerage when they complete work orders at some residences. They said workers are seeing raw sewerage plus animal and human feces in some homes. Council agreed to provide protective gear for workers who may encounter these hazards.
Watson emphasized that landlords must have their properties inspected before allowing tenants to live in them.
Council discussed how residents are notified about water shut offs for unpaid bills. Council woman Elizabeth Dugmore said residents can bring their billing and water concerns to the village utilities council.
The Bellaire Volunteer Fire Department is proposing a 2 mil levy.
Village residents expressed concerns over reportedly broken elevators at the Carnes Center apartment building and areas of the village they want to see cleaned up.
