WELLSVILLE — Wellsville Fire Chief Barry Podwel requested during Tuesday’s meeting of the Wellsville Village Council that council members make changes to the village’s burn ordinance.

Podwel said the original ordinance approved in 1958 was outdated and needed to be changed for the safety of the village.

Podwel is requesting the council to have a new ordinance drafted prohibiting any outside burning of any kind, firepits and the use of paper lanterns, with violations resulting in a $100 fine to be issued by the fire chief.

Currently per the ordinance it is illegal to dispose of trash, garbage and refuse of any kind by outside burning within the village corporation limits with the exception of outside cooking with charcoal fuel in appropriate burners or barbecue pits constructed for that purpose.

Ceremonial fires and school bonfires will be lawful to have if a permit is obtained from the fire chief. These permitted fires will have a fire truck on standby.

Podwel recalled a recent incident where the fire department was called for a fire where a resident had been cooking on a fire pit and the fire spread from the pit to the ground around it.

He noted that brick fire pits or ones made in the ground are a hazard especially if left unattended as they sometimes are.

Council Member Ryan Burgess expressed concern over embers coming off the fires being a greater risk.

After discussion among council members, Council President Keith Thorn said he is okay with Podwel’s request and will meet with Village Solicitor John Gamble to have an ordinance drafted for council to approve.

Podwel also noted that the Aug. 2 fire at 1701 Main St. has had several rekindles and he has sent the two owners a letter notifying them that they have 14 days to take care of the property.

Village Administrator Jeff Cope asked council about the ordinance designating parts of the cemetery to be flat markers only and that the ordinance needs updated to remove that and allow for upright grave markers in all sections.

Thorn asked Cope to provide him with the ordinance, and he would address the changes with Gamble when he speaks to him about the changes for the burn ordinance.

After much discussion and comparing with other rates, council members approved five to one to go with Aspen Energy for electric aggregation rates of 0.0956/kwh for a 21-month period. Burgess, believing there were possibly cheaper rates, voted against the contract.

Residents will have the option to opt out of the aggregation if they choose to do so. The plan which goes into effect in October also includes a $20,000 community grant.

Council members unanimously approved the quote of $4,050 for the vacuum of the grit from the wet well at the wastewater treatment plant.

A decision to stay with the current phone system provided by Avatel for the village or switch to Davis Communications was tabled until the Aug. 20 meeting.

Bills totaling $32, 239.28 including $24,500 for a 2022 Ford Interceptor for the police department purchased from State Surplus Auto Sales were approved for payment.

Council Member Aaron Smith, who is chair of the Park Committee, said he was waiting for additional quotes on what it would cost to fix the fencing around the ball fields and that he has received one at approximately $5,000.

Smith also expressed his gratitude to the residents who helped him dig the holes for the new benches on Riverside Drive.

During the public portion a resident voiced his concerns over the motorcycles racing down the village roads and his worries over a child possibly getting hit by one. Mayor Bob Boley said he was frustrated with it too and that some of them appear to be from out of town.

There were no reports from the Zoning Department, Police Department, Mayor or Fiscal Officer.

There was no legislation to vote on and old or new business.

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. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug.20.

kgarabrandt@mojonews.com