LEXINGTON — Village parks will be ready for business when Gov. DeWine allows playgrounds to again be used during the re-opening of the state’s economy closed down by the COVID-19 pandemic.
That’s according to Administrative Director Andrew Smallstey, who was responding to a suggestion Monday evening from council member Wynn Kearns during a 30-minute village council session.
“Let’s get the parks open as soon as possible,” Kearns said, “whenever that comes under the proper guidelines. I keep driving by and wanting to stop. Let’s have a plan ready on how to re-open when it comes up.”
Mayor Brian White reminded council the parks have remained open and that it was the playground equipment and other congregation spaces that had been ordered closed by the governor in March.
“Our guys are back working (in the parks) as weather permits,” Smallstey said. “It won’t be a big deal to get them up and rolling.”
During his report, White told council members he had consulted with leaders of VFW Local 5101 regarding Memorial Day activities. DeWine’s revised “stay safe Ohio” plan barring gatherings of more than 10 people has been extended until May 29.
“A parade and large gathering at the cemetery are not going to happen (due to COVID-19),” White said.
The mayor added the VFW is considering a small wreath-laying cemetery on the village square to mark the annual salute to those who died serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
He said VFW members were also going to place American flags at the entrance to the cemetery.
White also suggested council’s finance committee meet to go over recommendations for improvement from the recently concluded state audit of the village’s books. The audit has not yet been made public.
One key area for improvement, according to the first-term mayor, is to select and procure new financial reporting software for the village.
“Our’s is antiquated,” White said.
During his report, Smallstey said road work on U.S. 42 has begun in the village. He also said hydrant flushing on the east end of the village will be done either later this month or early June.
Smallstey also said the village had received inquiries from residents about a project in the village’s lower allotment. He said is was a Columbia Gas project and that he would be participating in a conference call with the utility company on Tuesday to get an update.
Police Chief Brett Pauley told council a dispatcher had recently left the department, replaced by a dispatcher who had been part-time for the last couple of years.
