WELLSVILLE — Discussion over the suggested revisions to Wellsville’s Outside Open Burning Ban which has remained unchanged since the 1950s continued during Tuesday’s meeting of the Wellsville Village Council.

Wellsville Fire Chief Barry Podwel suggested updating the ordinance at the Aug. 5 council meeting to address safety concerns such as the proximity of the houses in the village.

Since the meeting Wellsville residents have voiced their opinions on the matter on social media and addressed council over the issue at Tuesday’s meeting, questioning the ability for burn pits, types of burn pits and why the change in the ordinance.

Per the current ordinance there is no outside open burning permitted inside the village limits at any time and the only type of outside fire permitted is charcoal fire cooking.

His concerns over pits such as brick ones built in holes dug in the ground are based on how quickly embers could spread and start a house on fire and that they are sometimes left unattended. The fire department recently responded to such a fire where flames escaped the pit and started a grass fire.

Podwel commented on the heat and recent dry spell and noted that only increases the risk.

Podwel is suggesting an ordinance that continues to not permit outside open burning but allows for outdoor cooking in appropriate burners or barbeque pits constructed for that purpose.

Burning fires will be allowed for ceremonial purposes or school bonfires, but only with a permit obtained from the fire chief. The department will provide an engine on site for safety during these events.

Paper lanterns will also not be permitted due to safety risks present.

There has been no action taken on updating the ordinance as discussions are still ongoing following the most recent council meeting.

Podwel also answered questions from the council and a resident regarding the burnt structure on 17th Street and why it hasn’t been removed yet when the owner was given 15 days to do so. Podwel said the owner reported that there was an issue with the hydraulic jacks on the dumpster and he was waiting for parts.

During the public portion of the meeting a 14th Street resident addressed council with concerns over the no parking signs on 14th Street being ignored, making it difficult for backing out of his driveway. Mayor Bob Boley said he would talk to the police department and let them know that no parking needs to be enforced.

A Broadway Avenue resident spoke on lack of work being done on the house next door to hers, a smell coming from the house and tall grass. Boley said it would be looked into.

Fiscal Officer Hoi Wah said the state audit had been completed and all was good with it, but due to the length of time it took to do the audit the state recommended the village go with an independent auditor for th 2025-2026 audit. She noted the current audit took about a year to complete.

Boley said that the village was having issues with the water shut off boxes in the village. Some of them they can’t find, and others have been busted or tampered with. He noted there were water bills totaling $400 to $500 and the water can’t shut off.

Village Administrator Jeff Cope said Buckeye Water District is supposed to fix them, but the village makes Buckeye aware of them, and they let them pile up.

No legislation was voted on. There were several pieces of legislation that were supposed to be voted on, but they were not ready yet. One piece of legislation which was on the agenda regarding authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract with Dallis Dawson and Associates for repairs and improvements to the Village Wastewater Treatment Facility was tabled to be reworded since it didn’t address the needed assessment of the village’s sewer system. The legislation was sent back to be reworked.

Bills for the amount of $8,855.94 were approved for payment.

Council members unanimously approved the switch from Avatel to R. J. Davis Communications Inc. for the village’s phone service provider. The switch was made due to savings in buying the phone equipment outright versus leasing and savings on repairs/service calls.

There will be a Labor Day Car Show in the village on Main Street between Third and Fifth streets from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. That portion of Main Street will be closed for the event. The event will also feature live entertainment.

There will be a Park Board Meeting at 6 p.m. on Aug. 21 at Hammond Park.

Park Board Chair and Council Member Aaron Smith said he was working on getting Hammond Park listed in the Ohio Tourism Brochure and that any local businesses interested in being listed should contact him.

There were no reports from the police department, village administration or zoning.

The Wellsville Village Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in council chambers at Wellsville Village Hall, 1200 Main St., Wellsville.

kgarabrandt@mojonews.com