POMEROY — During last night's organizational meeting of Pomeroy Council, Councilman George Stewart was elected as council president, taking over for Councilman Shawn Arnott who said he wished to defer any nomination this year.

After the organizational meeting, which also set meeting times at 7 p.m. the second and forth Mondays of the month, council went into its regular meeting.

Pomeroy Chief of Police Mark E. Proffitt reminded council that Feb. 1 was the deadline for landlords to pay rental inspection fees for this year. Proffitt said failure to pay these fees would result in his department issuing citations because, he said, it was not fair to those landlords who had already paid the fee. Proffitt also presented council with an activity log prepared by Pomeroy Code Enforcement Officer Matthew Smith. Smith performs the rental inspections and this year 10 have been processed.

Smith's activity log also reported minor issues of rubbish on porches and other property issues, including dumping of trash on Willis Hill Road and on the Flood Road. Smith also reported working with Proffitt and the Meigs County Health Department to condemn the bottom part of a residence after a complaint of running water into the street at 232 East Second Street.

Proffitt also asked council to consider his department this year when it came to the issue of pay raises. Proffitt said he knew economic times were hard but they were also hard on the workers. Mayor John Musser appointed Stewart, Arnott and Councilwoman Ruth Spaun to a committee to review what options, if any, the village has in giving pay raises to employees in the police and street departments.

Arnott also inquired about why the new speed limit signs had not been put up along East and West Main Street. The speed limit was changed by ordinance through a portion of downtown back in November, taking the limit from 35 miles per hour to 25 mph in places. Clerk Treasurer Kathy Hysell said she had prepared the purchase order on Nov. 26 for $682.42 and took it to the police department where it was to be faxed to the distributor making the signs. Hysell said that was the last time she saw the paperwork and Proffitt said he look for the paperwork in his office.

Council approved purchasing two, handheld radios for the police department at a cost of $1,008; two tires for Car 11 and four for Car 10 for a total cost of $487.50; between $100-$149 for a digital camera for the department and code enforcement officer to use. Council also approved paying for a physical for Patrolman Jon Kulcher to become a fulltime officer which is around $1,000. Since Kulcher was formerly employed by Middleport, council asked if he has already had his physical this year while working for that village? Proffitt said he wasn't sure. Council also agreed to hire Frank Stewart as a part-time dispatcher.

Council approved $130,450 in temporary appropriations.

Council approved the building of a 12 feet x 14 feet shelter house at Water Works Park at no cost to the village. Resident Victor Young will build the structure.

All members of council were present for the meeting including Proffitt and Street Superintendent Jack Krautter.