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Nov 21, 2023

Demolitions delayed in Barnesville

Jun 5, 2023 BARNESVILLE — Village Council again delayed the process of accepting

Jun 5, 2023

BARNESVILLE — Village Council again delayed the process of accepting a bid to demolish buildings on North Chestnut Street.

Village Administrator Roger Deal informed council on May 22 that he and Mayor Dale Bunting were in the process of meeting with the bidders on the controversial project that will raze three village-owned buildings in Barnesville's historic downtown for the purpose of expanding parking.

Deal said they had started with the lowest bidder and were working their way up to help ensure certain parameters, including the exclusion of change orders that would increase the cost of the demolitions to the village, were agreed to by the firms involved.

Deal said one contractor had withdrawn their bid during this process.

Councilman Steve Hill, who had voted against the project and was vocal about not permitting change orders, said a pre-bid meeting might have helped to prevent the current delay. Deal agreed.

Council members confirmed for Deal that they plan on taking down all three buildings, with Deal saying he needs to have an asbestos abatement performed on the former veterinary clinic that council had at one time considered leaving in place.

Councilman Hill asked for clarification on the details of the sale of 216 N. Chestnut St., which council voted to allow the Belmont County Port Authority to market and sell during the April 10 meeting.

Village Solicitor Adam Myser told Hill that the purchase agreement was still being negotiated by the potential buyer and the bank and that the bank was "crystal clear" on the village's desire to be the primary lienholder.

After further discussion on the details of the sale, Myser did confirm for Hill that the final agreement would come to council for approval before any transfer would take place.

Dave Ralston, owner of the Barnesville Veterinary Clinic, said when he sought to purchase that property from the village five years ago he was told the price was $140,000, whereas it is now being sold for $114,000. He was curious as to why the price had been reduced without him knowing.

"Maybe I would have wanted back in," Ralston said.

Mayor Dale Bunting said that previously council had wanted to get the full value out of that property, but that now members just wanted to move on from it.

Councilman Terry McCort said he didn't realize that price had been the issue during the negotiations with Ralston and that should the current deal fall through he would be in favor of offering him the lot at the new price.

Meanwhile, Deal expressed his appreciation to village crews for splitting up and completing the various tasks of cleaning up and decorating the downtown for the spring season and Memorial Day observances.

Deal said he had submitted his list of the village's seasonal employees for this year, adding that he still was looking to hire more people for the mowing crew.

Councilman Tim McKelvey expressed his frustration with the disturbance caused by the gas company digging holes across East Main Street and leaving metal plates to cover the hole. Deal responded that he had been calling the company daily about it.

Bunting acknowledged National EMS Week and asked everyone to thank any EMS personnel they encounter for the work they do.

In other business, council approved paying bills in the amount of $116,103.37 and approved building permits for Carol Gallagher at 309 Clifton St. and Robert Hayes at 213 North Street to install new metal roofs.

Barnesville's next council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. today in the Municipal Building on Arch Street.

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