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South Amherst council approves $75,999 playground, closes cemetery sections and reviews ordinances
Summary
The Village of South Amherst council voted unanimously to purchase the Pioneer Place playground system for $75,999 and closed sections A–H of Evergreen Cemetery for sale; council also reviewed financial reports, committee recommendations and set first reading of Ordinance 1854‑26.
At its March 23, 2026 meeting, the Village of South Amherst council approved several routine and capital items, received financial reports and discussed ordinance enforcement.
Motions and votes: Councilmember Mark Leshinski moved to approve the agenda (seconded by Councilmember Anthony Savage); the motion carried on a recorded vote (6–0). Councilmember Anthony Savage moved to approve the minutes (seconded by Councilmember Michele Jeffers); that motion also passed (6–0). Councilmember Jeanne Maschari moved to approve purchase of the Pioneer Place Playground System from Pro Playgrounds for $75,999 (wood fiber mulch and demolition included); Councilmember Anthony Savage seconded and the motion carried on a recorded vote (6–0).
The council also discussed cemetery recordkeeping and the potential for future software. Maschari said existing burial records are primarily handwritten and often illegible, making immediate digitization impractical without paid data‑entry. The council voted (Maschari/Savage) to close sections A through H of Evergreen Cemetery for sale; vote recorded as 6–0.
Committee and ordinance matters included a recommended revision to Ordinance Section 121.03 to set Audit Committee composition at three council members and one resident; the Ordinance Committee will review enforcement and Mayor's Court penalty coordination. Ordinance No. 1854‑26 (an amendment to Section 121.03) received first reading.
Financial items presented by Fiscal Officer Michelle Henke included a payment listing for 3/6–3/20/26, revenue, fund and appropriation summaries and a completed February bank reconciliation requiring council signatures. Records Clerk Laurie Beran and staff reported takeaways from the State Auditor's Local Government Officials Conference and said they will implement updated practices for ethics, payroll and bank reconciliation.
The council moved to enter executive session at 8:38 p.m. under ORC 121.22(G)(3) for imminent court action and ORC 121.22(G)(1) for personnel/safety; the meeting returned to open session at 9:33 p.m. and adjourned at 9:34 p.m.
What happens next: The Law Director and Ordinance Committee will review enforcement penalties and coordination with Mayor's Court and will return recommendations to council; playground procurement and cemetery section closures will proceed per motions passed at the meeting.
