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BELPRE -- Belpre officials will be seeking input regarding the possible expansion of mass transit service from Parkersburg and Vienna into Belpre.
At Monday's meeting of Belpre City Council, Mayor Mike Lorentz announced a town hall meeting has been scheduled for 7 p.m. May 4 in council chambers to discuss the possibility of Mid-Ohio Valley Transit Authority expanding its service to Belpre.
Lorentz said he and Safety-Service Director Connie Hoblitzell have met with MOVTA, Wood-Wirt-Washington Interstate Planning Commission and Burgess and Niple to discuss the issue.
On Thursday the Belpre Tree Commission will travel to Cambridge to accept Belpre's Tree City Award. Belpre has been a Tree City for over 30 years, Lorentz said. An Arbor Day celebration with tree planting will be 10 a.m. Friday at Belpre Elementary School with the help of elementary students, he added.
As of May 31, Lorentz said there will be an opening on the Marietta/Belpre Health Board representing Belpre. The current Belpre representative is Desiree Kerns and her term will be ending. Lorentz said she is willing to stay on for another year and asked council for a voice vote to approve that, which passed unanimously.
Lorentz swore in two newly promoted captains and three newly promoted lieutenants in the Belpre Volunteer Fire Department.
Council approved all three readings of a resolution authorizing the safety-service director to enter into a salt contract with the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Council also heard from a number of concerned business owners regarding an ordinance passed in October 2021 involving a 60-day limit on storing inoperable vehicles on residential properties in Belpre. Concerns were raised Monday that commercial properties may have been included in that ordinance, which could adversely impact related businesses in the city. Officials said they will review the issue and if a mistake was made, it will be corrected.
A Finance/Audit Committee meeting is scheduled for 6;30 p.m. May 8, prior to the next regular council meeting.
Wayne Towner can be reached at wtowner@newsandsentinel.com