Bolivar council swears in four new members, appoints White president pro tempore and approves emergency ordinances

The Village of Bolivar council convened at 7:00 p.m. on Jan. 8, 2026, at 121 Canal Street SE and swore in four newly elected members — Taylor Yonally, Anne Strauss, Tim White and Cindy Lawver — after Solicitor Babik administered the oath of office.

Mayor Curtis Strauss opened the meeting, called for nominations for President Pro Tempore and recommended Tim White; Dan Oberlin moved White’s appointment and Anne Strauss seconded. The council approved the appointment by unanimous roll call.

The council approved routine business items, including payment of December 2025 bills totaling $111,266.23 (motion by Cindy Lawver, seconded by Conley; roll call unanimous) and reported December receipts of $71,279.13, which included interest of $1,792.68 split between Huntington ($278.83) and Star Ohio ($1,513.85).

Finance Chair Conley led several unanimous motions the council approved: $195 to purchase two rifle slings for the police department; $130.25 forgiveness for a water bill at 625 Wilson Street because of a service-line leak; authorization for a property survey of village-owned land on West and Water streets at the Zoning Inspector’s request; elimination of the 10-hour weekly Village Administrator allowance so the mayor may set hours; disposal of obsolete equipment (including a Dell printer, three laptops, HP 404DW printer and old office phones) with Chief Hilty removing laptop hard drives before disposal; and a $1,650 annual bulk mailing contract with PPI Graphics.

Mayor Strauss announced administrative appointments: Scott Baker as Street Superintendent; Patty Smith as Village Administrator; Nate Perks as Water Operator; and Heather Lecce as Tax Administrator. She also announced committee assignments for the finance, safety, street & alley and parks & recreation committees.

Tim White reported for the Street & Alley Committee, noting the committee recommended leaving East Street and Delaware signage as posted, discussed a back-lot paving project, confirmed a contract accepted with the Tuscarawas County Public Library, urged enforcement of the snow ordinance and recommended citations for vehicles parked in snow zones (citing plowing difficulties on routes from Water to Poplar), and reported removal of 10 tree stumps in the village. Village Administrator Patty Smith said crews are trimming trees in the village and at the water reservoir and that she will report costs for two recent water leaks at the Feb. 5 meeting.

Solicitor Babik briefed council on the status of the Olivar and Proper cases and suggested Zoning Inspector Michela Huth serve as an authorized signatory for damages. Council held first readings on two ordinances: one to engage GovDeal.com for sale of village items, and another to give the Ohio Department of Transportation authority to install and maintain pavement markers and signs, remove snow and ice, and perform maintenance on state highways inside the village corporate limits. A second reading was held for an ordinance adopting the village’s policies and procedures for the vacation of unimproved streets and alleys.

Council approved two resolutions on unanimous roll calls: R-1-2026, amending temporary appropriations and declared an emergency; and R-2-2026, to enter a temporary contract with Stephanie Long for utility billing services and training, also declared an emergency.

Council passed three emergency ordinances by unanimous roll call: O-1-2026 authorizing the position and hiring of a water utility clerk/office assistant; O-2-2026 approving a lot split/replat for Parcel 37-00657-000; and O-3-2026 authorizing a contract/lease agreement with the board of trustees of the Tuscarawas County Public Library.

The council adjourned at 7:36 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Feb. 5, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at 121 Canal Street SE.