Burbank council schedules park public meeting, approves mosquito spraying and heritage-tree application; fiscal officer warns on property-tax proposal

Mayor Anna Purdy called the Village of Burbank council to order at 7:01 p.m. on April 23 and asked members to hold public remarks until the meeting’s public-participation period. Council approved the March 5 minutes and accepted paid bills totaling $4,444.22.

Fiscal Officer Gary Harris briefed council on several grant and budget items and distributed 2027 budget worksheets showing $202,250 in proposed expenditures, with the General Fund and Police Fund together accounting for $129,450. Harris said Mill Street OPWC grant application materials should be available in June (applications likely due in September) and that an ODNR Park Hiking Trail grant application is due July 1; he described completed field work and the start of final design for the engineering work.

Council voted 5-0 to hold the public meeting required for the ODNR grant application at the park pavilion on May 2 at noon (mover: Jay Byler; seconder: Marti McCord). Harris suggested using the Church on South Street as a meeting venue if needed and asked whether all seven local officials would share surveying responsibilities for resident properties related to the application.

Harris also reported an email indicating the T-Mobile Hometown Grant program may be terminating in June and that there is no progress yet on storm-sewer cleaning bids; he noted a local contractor quoted $2,500 to repair a culvert wall on E. Middle Street pending insurance documents and requested photos before any approval.

On levy timing, Harris reminded council that to place three general-fund levies on the November ballot the village must pass an ordinance on tax valuations in June and a resolution in July to file with the Board of Elections in August. Harris said he had emailed council materials outlining what he described as the potentially "catastrophic" impact if a proposal to eliminate property taxes reaches voters; he asked Solicitor Allan Michelson to draft legislation opposing elimination for consideration at the May 7 meeting.

In parks business, Mayor Purdy said repairs to the baseball-field backstop appear underway. Council voted 5-0 to apply for a Wayne County "America 205" Ohio Heritage Tree—Wayne County would provide the tree at no cost but the village would pay transportation and installation (mover: Ingram McCord; seconder: Marti McCord).

Council approved contracting for 2026 mosquito spraying on the same schedule as neighboring Lodi. Fiscal Officer Harris said the village-wide spray fee rose to $300 per application this year (from $275 last year); park-only spray remains $120. The motion to approve the mosquito-spraying schedule passed 5-0 (mover: Jay Byler; seconder: Terry Moore).

Zoning and public-works notes included that Evergreen Counseling had not yet responded about installing a new sign but had paid the permit fee; a former beauty shop on E. Middle Street will be converted to apartments; litigation for 215 E. Middle Street has a trial date scheduled for May 2027, according to Solicitor Allan Michelson; and Thomas Lenhoff reported clearing debris from catch-basin inlets.

Under new business, Harris confirmed the next council meeting is May 7 at 7:00 p.m. and reminded members that four members must be present to vote on legislation. Council discussed ordering a handicapped-accessible porta-john for May 1–Oct. 1, Dumpster Days scheduling and Memorial Day flag arrangements with the VFW.

During public comment, resident Rod Kelly said drainage on E. Middle Street had improved on the eastern end but added that "water is coming across the road" near 219 and 215, pooling at driveways and basement walls and causing erosion; council said they would follow up. Cathy Kopp announced a village-wide garage sale on Aug. 8 and requested two additional signs (she provided a $150 bid estimate to the fiscal officer).

The council adjourned at 7:59 p.m.; the motion to adjourn was made by Marti McCord, seconded by Jay Byler and recorded as passing (vote recorded 4 ayes, 0 nays).