POMEROY — Pomeroy Council unanimously agreed to extend the two-month trial of free customer parking in the downtown area during Monday’s meeting.

Dan Short, President of the Pomeroy Merchants Association, was present at the meeting as the original agreement was for the free parking to end on May 19.

While the village has suffered a small loss in revenue — approximately $450 per month — from the meters and parking tickets since the free parking began, it cannot be known how much is directly related to the approximately 50 free meters now available for local shoppers.

It was reported that the merchants have received positive feedback about the availability of free parking, which has been conveyed to council members.

Council agreed to extend the free parking through the summer, asking Short to return to the council meeting in September.

Short will also be looking into more permanent signs to be placed on the parking lot. The possibility of removing the meters from a portion of the parking lot was also discussed, with no decision being made. It was emphasized that the free parking is for customers only with a two-hour limit.

In other business, council approved the second reading of Ordinance 755 and Ordinance 756.

Ordinance 755 is a schedule of fees, which would raise court costs to $85 (currently $75) and modify speeding ticket fees to coincide with the Ohio Revised Code. Tickets for 20 miles per hour or less over the speed limit would be $120, with speeds of more that 20 miles per hour over the speed limit resulting in a $150 ticket.

Ordinance 756 is a records retention schedule as presented by Village Solicitor Michael Barr.

Council approved hiring Code Enforcement Officer Clayton Taylor as full time. He is currently part time. Current part time officer Andrew Quine was also approved for a physical on the recommendation of Police Chief Mark Proffitt.

Council approved minutes as revised (to add detail) by Council Member Robert Payne. Bills were also approved as presented.

Payne asked Village Administrator Paul Hellman if the vacant position for a wastewater plant operator. Hellman said that the opening has been posted, and that applications for a Class II certified wastewater operator are currently being accepted.

ME Companies provided the village with an update on the water line and hydrant replacement project. Village Solicitor Michael Barr is to check into the current easements in place on the properties where the new line will need to be placed.

A recommendation from the water board concerning bills being increased due to leaks was approved. The water board recommended deducting the increased sewer portion of the bill from the total amount because the water leak did not increase the sewer usage.

Kyle Smith of SunVenture addressed council concerning a similar water/sewer bill problem at the Exxon Station owned by his company. Council offered the same agreement to Smith as was recommended by the water board with the two other bills, with Smith asking to only pay one-sixth of the original bill ($571). Council referred Smith to the water board.

Council listened to a brief presentation be Dave Graham concerning voluntary employee benefits. Graham presented the accident, injury and short term disability policies as available through Allstate.

Council approved a bid from Dodson for termite control in Village Hall and the connecting auto parts store. The bid for the entire building was $2350.