With the promise of 99.99 percent reliability, Tim Berelsman and Jake Minnich of Logan County Gig (LCG) introduced themselves and their company to the West Liberty Village Council at Monday night’s regular meeting. Their proposal? Building fiber optic networks to provide residents and businesses in West Liberty with the fastest internet speeds available.
“We’re focused on providing high-speed, reliable service,” Berelsman said. “You should get what you pay for.”
The networks, he clarified, are not dependent on public funding but through private capital. And, according to Minnich, fiber optics not only deliver the “best technology out there,” but they’re “extremely long-lasting.” He tells investors they’ll go for at least 40 years.
In addition, the council learned fiber optics increase a home’s value around 8 percent and its resale value around 3 percent. It can deliver internet speeds up to 10 gigabit per second. All this, Berelsman said, for “at or below what you’re paying.”
The next step for LCG will be putting together a formal proposal for the council’s consideration.
In other council action Monday night:
- Bill Detrick, West Liberty street superintendent, presented a few issues, including the emergency repair of a sinkhole on East Baird Street, which the council approved, along with the repair of some missing brick at the corner of Detroit and W. Newell. The also approved the cost of new chip and fog seal for areas on Newell.
- Jeremy LeVan of Country Legends LLC gave an update on the Country Legends Festival, which will take place September 3 at Lions Park in West Liberty. The two-stage event will offer over nine hours of non-stop country music, starting with The Overdrive Band at 2 p.m. and ending with Craig Morgan at 9. The day will also include food vendors and a beer garden.
- Council member Joanna Hostetler gave an update on the urban forester report. The arborist, Alistair Reynolds with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, provided a free tree risk assessment on July 7. Besides listing which trees need to be monitored, he also suggested removing seven dead or dying trees that pose a hazard to nearby streets/vehicles and homes.
In response to how they should approach residents, Mayor Jill McKelvey said they would recommend but not mandate the homeowners take care of the problem. However, council member Trent Spriggs added, if the tree falls the damages are their responsibility. - If you’re driving on Zanesfield Road/Highway 68 through West Liberty, check out the new gazebo on the north side of town hall. The next step will be landscaping by Jake Vitt, which he is providing thanks to a donation from his late mother, Ellen.
- The council addressed the need to find someone to take care of flower beds in town parks. This came up after some members noted a few native plants have grown to nearly six feet tall near Sidney Street at Ricketts Park and seemed in danger of falling over.
- You can find new West Liberty merchandise at villageofwl.itemorder.com/shop/home, including a Pony Truss Bridge t-shirt and 2023 calendars. Hostetler recommended adding trucker/baseball hats with leather West Liberty patches to the store. McKelvey said it’s a way to promote the village, and they’re “hoping to break even.”
- The Peoples Savings and Loan Company was named August Business of the Month. The council was especially excited to see collaborations between businesses in response to this award.
For instance, Stoner’s Ice Cream Parlor has been working with Marie’s Candies to create special sundaes in honor of that month’s winner. At the moment, they’re planning a turtle-based sundae with chocolate, caramel and pecans for Peoples. - Nominations for the September Business of the Month are Wengers Produce, Healing Arts massage therapy and Michael’s Pizza.
- Clerk Cindee Boyd gave the council a report on the July monthly safety meeting for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). If the council attends 10 of these meetings between now and June 30, 2023, they will qualify for a significant BWC rebate.
- Though the Logan County mayors voted 3-2 in favor of continuing the county-wide Trick or Treat from 3 to 5 p.m. the Saturday on or before Halloween, West Liberty’s Trick or Treat will still be Thursday, Oct. 27, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- The village has submitted an application for a $50,000 matching T-Mobile grant to revitalize the downtown area. They should get a response in October.
- Beautification Award nominations are due this Monday, Aug. 1. Voting will take place between Aug. 15 and 29. Winners will be announced during the Labor Day weekend festivities.
- Jason Kile and Sarah Mackert are working to gather investors for the$ 4 million needed to take care of the old elementary school. According to Mackert, an architect, the building has good enough bones to be saved. It just can’t be left as a crumbling safety hazard and home to aggressive wild creatures like black vultures.
- The council spent some time discussing the village’s allotment of $4,780 spread over 18 years to combat the opioid crisis. Because it was issued to the county, West Liberty’s money will be controlled by the county commissioners. McKelvey and other mayors have expressed concern that the funds would all end up going to Bellefontaine and spoke against a plan to “just give it to the schools.” In conclusion, McKelvey told the council, “It’s not (the commissioners’) money. We’re going to stay on top of this.”
The next West Liberty Village Council meeting is 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8, in the town hall.