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BELPRE -- After holding its first in-person meeting since March on Nov. 9, Belpre City Council went back to meeting by Zoom for Monday's regular meeting.
A recent spike in COVID-19 cases resulted in Belpre officials closing the city building to the public and conducting all business by mail, phone and electronically.
In council business Monday, the annual appropriation ordinance for calendar and fiscal year 2021 was approved on third reading Monday, setting the city's $7.7 million budget for the upcoming year.
Council also approved the second reading of its annual manpower ordinance, outlining the city's workforce for 2021. The final reading is scheduled for the Dec. 14 council meeting.
Mayor Mike Lorentz said he and Safety-Service Director Connie Hoblitzell met via Zoom with representatives of the Ohio Department of Transportation to discuss the Urban Paving schedule for Belpre.
"As it stands at this point, we will revamp Washington Boulevard in 2022. Prior to paving we have a lot of drains to repair, clean, etc. There are a few dozen curb ramps that also need installed. ODOT will also be in town this fall to do core samples in strategic spots to assure we use the correct repair methods," he said.
Lorentz said the Belpre Industrial Parkersburg Railroad, which took over operations on several local CSX Transportation rails earlier this year, will be bringing a Christmas Train to Belpre. It will be set up from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 11 at Depot Park in Belpre and BIPR is requesting visitors bring a non-perishable food item for the local food pantry.
The Planning and Zoning/Economic Development Committee will be held 6:30 p.m. Nov. 30.
Council voted to cancel its final meeting of 2020, scheduled for Dec. 28, with plans to finalize all business on Dec. 14.
Wayne Towner can be reached at wtowner@newsandsentinel.com