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Hiram council rejects social media policy, approves park rental policy and passes tax-valuation resolution
Summary
On May 19, 2026, Hiram council voted on several ordinances and a resolution: Ordinance 2026-14 (social media policy) failed 3-2, Ordinance 2026-15 (park rental policy) passed 5-0, Ordinance 2026-16 (fire dept overtime amendment) was tabled 5-0, and Resolution 2026-02 requesting a Portage County valuation certification passed 5-0.
The Hiram Village Council conducted roll-call votes on multiple ordinances and a resolution at its May 19 meeting.
On third reading, Ordinance 2026-14, which would have adopted a social media policy and code of conduct and declared an emergency, failed after a motion to approve did not carry (recorded as 3-2; the transcript records Nays from Ed Frato-Sweeney and Juan Fernandez). The motion to approve had been made by Council Member Graham Rubin and seconded by Chris Szell.
Ordinance 2026-15, to adopt a public park rental policy and a rental-rate summary (third reading), passed on a 5-0 roll-call vote after a motion by Graham Rubin and second by Chris Szell.
Ordinance 2026-16, an amendment to Employee Handbook Section 4.4(B) regarding fire department overtime calculation (third reading), was tabled on a motion by Ed Frato-Sweeney, seconded by Chris Szell, with the intent to re-evaluate once new employees are in place; the tabled motion passed 5-0.
Ordinance 2026-18, authorizing revenue budget appropriations for fiscal and calendar year 2027, was on second reading and received no final vote at this meeting.
On third reading, Resolution 2026-02 asking the Portage County Auditor to certify the village’s total tax valuation and to estimate the dollar amount generated by a renewal of the existing tax levy for current expenses passed 5-0 on a roll-call vote (moved by Chris Szell, seconded by Ed Frato-Sweeney).
All motions relating to ordinances and resolutions in the transcript were conducted by roll call. The council also voted 5-0 to move regular council meetings to the fourth Tuesday of each month and adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
