MARTINSBURG — Martinsburg Village Council met without a mayor for its first meeting of 2008 Monday evening. Otherwise, all council members were in attendance except Stacy Swanson, who gave birth to a baby boy last week.
Due to a misunderstanding late last year between the Knox County Board of Elections, Mayor J.R. St. Clair and Village Solicitor John Ryerson, St. Clair’s term had expired, unknown to council at that time.
“We had the understanding that his term didn’t expire until 2009,” explained Ryerson. “It became obvious [otherwise] right before the election. The ballots were printed with ‘no candidate.’”
To correct the lack of mayoral leadership, and at the suggestion of Ryerson, senior council member Donna Johnson called the meeting to order and noted that the first order of business was to swear in re-elected council member Ginnie Davis. As a notary public, Ryerson read Davis the oath of office.
The next order of business was to fill the vacant seat of council member Dan Swanson, who resigned in November, and nominated St. Clair, who was elected by a unanimous vote. After Ryerson swore in St. Clair, Johnson told council they would then elect a council president, and again nominated St. Clair. The vote was once again unanimous and he was sworn in by Ryerson for the second time.
Under the direction of Ryerson and with approval of all council members, St. Clair, as president, then told council, “I declare that there is a vacancy in the office of mayor, and I will accept and pursue the duties of mayor pursuant to statute.”
Ryerson said neither vote nor approval by council was required, and, for the third time, he administered the oath of office to St. Clair, leaving Swanson’s former seat vacant once again.
“This is a two-year term,” said Ryerson, “because he is filling a vacancy for two years.”
St. Clair can run for re-election in 2009 for another two-year term, added Ryerson.
There was discussion about changing the number of council seats, dropping the total to four. Ryerson said that can only occur by petitioning the Ohio Revised Code, and recommended council contact State Sen. Bill Harris for assistance.
St. Clair reported the Clay Township trustees agreed to take care of snow removal in the village this winter. He said the Knox County Housing Authority carried out three housing inspections Monday in Martinsburg, and that more applications are needed to take advantage of the many thousands of dollars available in the Community Housing Project grant fund. Mobile homes are not eligible for the grants.
Johnson reported the community center’s insurance agent advised that, although the center has liability insurance, those who rent the building must carry their own. Ryerson recommended a hold-harmless form be created for renters to read and sign to verify that they carry insurance. He volunteered to draw up the form, then will request the feedback of the village’s and the center’s insurance agents.
Council discussed the Dec. 28 destruction of the village’s two traffic lights when the pole was hit by a tractor-trailer. St. Clair said the driver was cited by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. KMA Electric repaired one light; KMA’s bill will be sent to the insurance company of the truck driver’s employer for payment. A new light to replace the other light, which was damaged beyond repair, is on order.
Council member Joe Black said that at one time a larger pole protected the main light pole but, after being damaged in an accident, it was not replaced. St. Clair agreed that adding another such pole might be a good idea.
Fiscal officer Dedra Kidwell reported the county auditor’s office stated there is no need for a separate checking account from which to write payroll checks, and council agreed the current payroll account should be closed. They asked Kidwell, however, to request the advice in writing from the auditor’s office.
The next council meeting is Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. at the town hall.
