Fee to be implemented

SOUTH POINT — The South Point village council had a first reading Tuesday on an ordinance to regulate modular homes in the village.

Mayor Jeff Gaskin said the previous ordinance on the matter was “ a little bit shaky” and that the new ordinance would “tighten things up.”

“It used to say, ‘If it came on wheels, no,’” Gaskin said.

The ordinance would allow modular homes, such as doublewide, if they are properly tied down and have a foundation built so that they are a permanent piece of real estate.

The council voted 5-0 on the ordinance’s first reading, which would call for a $50 permit fee.

Another topic before the council came from community member Warren Steel, who asked about recent moves by the village and police to crack down on the use of motorcycles and ATVs on land used by the Industrial Park, including a grassy area along Fourth Street West and County Road 1.

Steel said the riders were not hurting anyone and said it gave them something to do.

“We need to be doing something for kids to keep them occupied,” he said.

Gaskin said that “private property is private property,” and that they had received complaints about the riders.

As far as outlets for activities, he pointed to the large number of pools in the area, which he said benefit from the village’s low water rates and groups such as the scouts and church youth programs.

He said the village was in the process of raising funds to build a spray park.

Police chief Chris Mahjer said the complaints about the riders had been coming in for some time.

“It comes down to complaints about private property,” he said. “It got to the point where people thought we weren’t addressing the issue.”

Gaskin also pointed out the riders were operating without a license or insurance.

In other business, the council:

• Voted 5-0 to advertise bids on repairs and upgrades to the village’s water tank after the bids came in higher than anticipated.

• Voted 5-0 for $3,500 to pay for fireworks.

• Voted 5-0 to adopt the Lawrence-Scioto Solid Waste Management plan.

• Voted 5-0 To create the position of water operator, to be filled by Steve Malone for $1.50 an hour. Gaskin said the position would take responsibilities off of the water/sewer operator.