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Council receives update on tree project

Council receives update on tree project

A tree is planted during a previous Arbor Day celebration in Bucyrus. Photo: Crawford County Now/File photo


BUCYRUS — Valerie Spreng, president of the Bucyrus Tree Board, gave an update on the planting of trees throughout the city during the regular Bucyrus City Council meeting Tuesday evening.

Spreng said 25 new trees have been planted at Aumiller Park and Bucyrus Rail Car recently donated 200 trees to be planted throughout the city during the next three years.

Spreng said, in keeping with the proper growing season for the weather in the city, Arbor Day will be celebrated in the fall.

“We can always use the help of volunteers at any time throughout the year,” Spreng said.

Also during the meeting, Amber Wertman introduced herself as a candidate for Crawford County commissioner in the March 17 primary election and Pat McCauley of the Ohio Treasurer’s Office gave an update of services offered by the office to cities across the state.

He commended the city for already being a part of the Ohio Checkbook and other programs.

Cassie Herschler, executive director of the Crawford County Council on Aging, asked for the council’s support of a one-mil renewal levy plus a .75-mil levy for the agency to continue services to the elderly throughout the county. The issue will be discussed during the council’s joint committee meetings Thursday at 6 p.m. in Bucyrus City Hall Council Chambers.

Joe Graham and Carolyn Shireman of the Positive Seekers said they will be bringing back the Red, White and Blues event in July 2021.

“After our plans for the last Red, White and Blues event fell through, we were of course disappointed. Even though much of what took place to cause the event cancellation was beyond our control, we felt we had let down so many people,” Graham said. “So many people wanted what we wanted, including the fair board, and felt this would be a great benefit to Bucyrus. We vowed to not return to the event until such point in time we felt confident in our ability to organize and host the event on our terms. We believe that time has come.”

Graham said the group will be seeking sponsorships to cover the projected $6,000 of costs for the event. He and Shireman asked that every member of city government reach out to their connections to help make the event a reality.

“We would ask each of you to search your hearts and if what we have said rings true, to work with us again to secure the corporate funding that will be essential to putting this event on our calendar every year of our community’s third century,” Graham said.

In his report to council, Mayor Jeff Reser congratulated four new businesses that recently opened in the city, including Burger King, Bucyrus Health and Wellness Clinic, Without Borders and Kaye and Co.

During the service safety director’s report given by Reser, engineering for the Pines Reservoir was referred to the finance committee. He said there will be a sewer separation meeting Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. at Bucyrus City Hall and an Arrowhead Drive pre-construction meeting March 11 at 6 p.m.

Council approved enterprise fund reimbursements as an emergency but kept other legislation to first and second readings including the rezoning of properties at 1815 and 1825 East Mansfield St., a charging station parking space and a UV system bid for the wastewater treatment plant.

Council’s next meeting is March 3 at 7 p.m.

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