The Granville Village Council will meet Wednesday evening at 7:30 pm in the Village Offices and will consider offering sewers to Creno's on Columbus Road. The Village was asked by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) if it is willing to provide sanitary sewer service to Creno's Pizza and the former BP station. The two properties are located in the Township, but are adjacent to the Village sewer line that serves Kendal.

The Granville Board of Education will meet at 6:00 pm tonight to organize for the coming year. Included in the organization will be the election of the new president and vice president of the board. Clarke Berdan is currently president and Nicole Jardell is vice president. Immediately following, the regular Granville School District Board of Education business meeting for January will be held.

The Village Council approved its budget for 2009 during its busy meeting last night. The budget was changed at the last minute by village staff after receiving $87,475 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for damage incurred by the village during the wind storm in September. $80,000 of the FEMA money was applied to the Pathway Reserve Fund which currently contains $120,000 and will grow to $200,000.

Granville Township Trustees Fred Abraham and Bill Habig listened to six residents of the township last night as each explained why he wished to be appointed to replace Wes Sargent. To the surprise of none, they appointed Bill Mason. He will take office after Sargent's resignation becomes effective December 31. Mason's term will run for one year at which time two trustee seats will be up for election, his and Bill Habig's.

Updated 12/18/08 10:00 The Village Council tonight agreed to provide police services to properties outside of the Village. The Intermediate School and other properties owned by the School District and some Denison University properties will receive protection by the Village police. This service will begin as soon as the Township Trustees sign on to the agreement.

The Broadway Pub will receive a letter from the Village saying it doesn't oppose the TREX permit. At its meeting tonight, Village Council approved pub owner Eileen Arant's request by a unanimous vote. At its last meeting, the Village Council debated whether the restaurant's application met the technical definition of "economic development" to get a TREX permit. Tonight they decided it does meet that requirement.

At its meeting tonight, Village Council approved giving a 3% across-the-board increase to the non-bargaining unit employees. The resolution provides for a percentage increase in the current minimum and maximum amount for each pay grade. According to Mayor Melissa Hartfield, there are only 12 employees in this category - the supervisors and office staff.

Updated 12/17/08 13:40: At its meeting tonight, Village Council will consider giving a 3% across-the-board increase to the non-bargaining unit employees. The resolution provides for a percentage increase in the current minimum and maximum amount for each pay grade. According to the resolution, the Village Manager may adjust salaries of individual employees by greater amounts as long as the employee remains within the maximum limitation for the grade.

Editorial: The rap on Village government is that it over-regulates and makes it hard for businesses to prosper. Tonight, the Village Council will have a chance to prove this criticism is not true. The Broadway Pub has asked for permission to sell wine and spirits, in addition to beer, to improve the financial viability of this locally owned restaurant. The answer should be a resounding "yes."

The Village Council will consider a resolution to provide police services to properties outside of the Village. The Granville Township properties under consideration include the Intermediate School and other properties owned by the School District and Denison University. The Council meeting is Wednesday, December 17 at 7:30 pm in the Village Offices.

The Village Council will hold a public hearing on a proposed ordinance to make appropriations for expenditures for the coming fiscal year. The ordinance was introduced at the Council meeting on December 3. If it is adopted, it would make appropriations for operating expenses and capital improvement projects for Calendar Year 2009. The Council meeting is Wednesday, December 17 at 7:30 pm in the Village Offices.

The Granville Police drove their five Ford Crown Victoria cruisers 7,273 miles during the month of November averaging 10.7 miles per gallon of gasoline. Each month at Granville Village Council's second meeting, the Granville Police Department reports on police activities during the previous month. Presented here is the report for November, 2008. The report also presents figures for the previous month (October, 2008) and the same month the previous year (November, 2007).

Your presence is hoped for on Saturday December 20th at 8:30 am at 300 Orchard Street. Choose from 3, 6 or 9 mile walks or runs. Then enjoy food and drinks. Feel free to stay and share what running has meant to you. Parking is limited so please try to carpool.

Editorial: Trustee Fred Abraham came through for us. At the trustee's public hearing Wednesday evening on the comprehensive plan, Fred Abraham listened to the electorate's concern and proposed to hold more public meetings.

Updated 12/15/08: Six residents of Granville Township will be interviewed next Wednesday beginning at 7:15 pm at McPeek Lodge. The interviews will be conducted by Trustees Fred Abraham and Bill Habig after concluding a regular meeting.