DeGRAFF – Following the recent medical leave of absence taken by Village Zoning Officer Merle Orsborne, Mayor Gary Comer asked council for help with zoning issues during its July 24 meeting.

Comer noted Orsborne will be off for several weeks while he recovers at home following a heart attack. Before the incident, Comer said he and Orsborne were working on several time-consuming projects and cleanup proposals involving properties throughout the village. In order to continue these projects, Comer said council members will need to help with zoning matters and permit applications.

Following discussion, council member Jennifer Ganson-Bowman offered to help Comer with zoning issues until Orsborne can return to his role as zoning officer.

Also during the meeting, council passed two motions involving street repairs within the village. The first motion passed by council involved approving Quality Paving to perform asphalt repair work on Ellis and Hayes streets (approximately 319 square feet) in the amount of $850.

Council then passed a motion hiring Quality Paving for an overlay asphalt project on County Road 11 at the viaduct (approximately 2,543 square feet) in the amount of $4,825. The passing of the motion is contingent on Logan County officials allowing Linda Harford, DeGraff fiscal officer, to certify funds to pay for the expenditures from the “special sales tax” revenues, which are held in escrow by the Logan County auditor.

In other business:

•Village resident Chad Lump informed council his family purchased the SCP facility and are open to suggestions as to use of the building. Lump inquired about tax breaks for new businesses. Comer told Lump he would make inquiries to Logan County officials and organizations to see what type of interest is out there. Comer and the rest of council thanked the Lumps for trying to bring more business to the community.

•Comer reported that the alley between the post office and Orphan Annie’s constantly floods following heavy rains due to the fact there is no place for the runoff to go. He asked the Street Committee to look into the matter to see if anything can be done to alleviate the problem.

•Police Chief George Piersall informed council the department recently received a small remote radar system at no cost from the Ohio Department of Public Safety.

•Park Committee members were told by Comer that the park trees should be trimmed periodically for safety purposes. He also reminded all residents that they are responsible for tree trimming/removal on their own properties.

•Council member Sue Walls noted the DeGraff United Methodist Church will be having its “Free Sale” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the church on County Road 24. Free hot dogs and drinks will be provided.

•Walls also announced the DeGraff Country Fair History Committee will be meeting to collect pictures of downtown taken during the ’50s and ’60s in order to help with the designing of special doors that will be placed downtown during the fair. Each door will depict a business that existed during the ’50s and ’60s.