LEWISBURG — Instead of National Night Out, the Village of Lewisburg will be holding a Community Night Out on Tuesday, Oct. 1, from 6-8 p.m. at the Tri-County North Community Center.
During the village council meeting on Thursday, Sept. 5, Mayor Marsha Jones explained the change, noting officials wanted the event to be focused on safety.
There will be hot dogs, refreshments, a bounce house, and different community organizations present.
Village Manager Jeff Sewert asked Fire Chief BJ Sewert to inform council about a recent gas leak the department handled.
“It started out as a possible leak at a house on South Main Street. They smelled gas and we responded to there. We found a minor leak around the meter and turned the gas off to the house and called Vectren. In the meantime, we didn’t think that was the end of the problem, did some further investigation, and found the gas in the sewer,” Chief Sewert said.
The grates were located at 501 South Main Street, Singer Street and Main Street, and Commerce Street and South Street. The grate at Commerce Street and South Street had the highest concentration of gas.
“That is where it ended up being the issue. The property at the south west corner of South Street and Commerce Street. The thing that was kind of ironic about it, that house didn’t have any readings on our meters or the DP&L meter inside their house. There were other houses that had large concentration of gas, but that was not where the problem was at,” Chief Sewert said.
He added, Vectren sent one worker out to respond, but that worker called in approximately 10 vehicles and several individuals as backup.
Council also discussed the annual Harvest Fest, which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19. Village Manager Sewert shared information on preparations for Harvest Fest and a dedication that will happen during that festival.
Jeff Sewert mentioned the Bicentennial Mural and the goal of lighting the mural from the top and bottom before Harvest Fest. Also, the evergreen tree by the firehouse will be replaced before Harvest Fest. He explained, that tree is dedicated to a long time village employee who passed away. The tree will be replaced with something “more appropriate.”
During Harvest Fest, there will be a dedication of Bicentennial Square.
The Farmer’s Market had its last scheduled date on Monday, Aug. 26, however, with approval from council on necessary road closures, the market will change location and keep going throughout September.
Mayor Jones said, “We had some vendors who reached out and said they would like to keep coming to Lewisburg with their fresh produce, protein, and flowers.”
She added, the school parking lot is not appropriate now that school has came back into session, so they are looking to move the market to the Bicentennial Square.
Council did have to approve the closure of Twin Street from Ohio 503 to the alley on every Monday of September from 4-7 p.m.
The Farmer’s Market will be held every Monday in September from 4-7 p.m. at Bicentennial Square.
In other business:
•Mayor Jones referenced a recommendation from Ben Thaeler, District Director with the Office of Congressman Warren Davidson, for the village to consider a social media influencer to promote Lewisburg events.
•Village Manager Sewert reported on crosswalks and lighting by Tri-County North, which have been on ongoing project for the Village of Lewisburg. Lighting at the school has been updated to LED lights, crosswalks at the school have been updated, and the State of Ohio has updated crosswalk signage appropriately.
•According to Village Manager Sewert, the Spray Park will be open for several more weeks, instead of closing Labor Day Weekend as the village has done in the past.
Lewisburg’s next council meeting will be held on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m. in the Lewisburg Fire House.
