LEETONIA — After a discussion of what to do with an abandoned property on Main Street, village council decided to waive ownership of the parcel to the landbank during last weeks regular meeting. A grant through the Columbiana County land bank will cover the cost to tear down the house. The house is set for demolition in the middle of next year. Zoning Officer Gavin Rambo also asked and received permission to perform a title search on the property with a passed motion by council.

“We let the land bank take possession of the property. If not we might end up with a few of these random parcels that we have to maintain,” said Mayor Kevin Siembida. “We will get a little more clarification from the land bank on the process, but the village doesn’t seem to have a purpose for them.”

In other zoning news, Rambo reported that the Lots 14 and 15 at the industrial park numbered 100-110 will soon become one lot and will be known as 110 Industry Street.

Council took action on three pieces of legislation. Council held its third reading of an ordinance updating the Oakdale Cemetery rules and regulations. The third reading of the ordinance giving the Ohio Department of Transportation consent to maintain state roads and provide winter maintenance for those roads was also held. A resolution to authorize a $100 year-end bonus for each village employee (excluding elected officials, appointed board members and fire and EMS employees paid hourly with less than 12 calls between Oct. 1, 2022-Sept. 30, 2023) was also passed as an emergency.

In finance matters, motions to pay the bills as presented, approve the cash summary and the October Bank Reconciliation were passed. The total costs of expenditures was reported at $153,797.32. Transfers from the general fund to street fund ($5,000), police pension ($3,000) and cemetery ($5,000).

Jeff Schreiber from the Shade Tree Commission reported that the annual applications for Tree City through Arbour Day Foundation are being “put together.” Schreiber also said the commission is creating “a comprehensive list with plans to prioritize that list” of any trees that need to be cut down within the village and plans to plant new trees in the spring at different locations once property owners are conferred with.

On the request of councilwoman Sue Strobel, the Village of Leetonia will hold a Christmas home-decorating contest. The idea was presented and accepted during Wednesday’s meeting. Strobel is seeking businesses to sponsor first- and second-place prizes for the contest which will be judged on Dec. 17.

Council also reminded the community that Christmas in Leetonia Light Up Night will take place Nov. 25 from 1 to 8 p.m.