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City targets historic land |
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Tuesday, 27 January 2009 |
By ANGELA WEAVER
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — St. Marys city councilors held the first reading of an ordinance to set aside funds for the purchase of a historical property site at their Monday night meeting.
The ordinance would appropriate $12,000 to come from the city’s Capital Improvements Fund toward the purchase of the designated “Girty property,” in addition to the closing costs of the property, which Law Director Kraig Noble said should not exceed $50.
“We got the property reduced several thousand dollars,” Noble said at Monday’s meeting.
When questioned if the property site was the actual site of James Girty’s property, Noble said he felt confident that some of the historical sites mentioned, including Girty’s cabin, Charles Murray’s Trading Post, Fort St. Marys and Fort. Barbee, spilled into the approximately 5.5 acre tract.
“This area is where the early development of St. Marys was,” he said.
Noble said the goal of the purchase would be to preserve the site for future generations, adding that it could be the site of another possible archeological dig.
Kimberli Rompilla, representing the St. Marys Rotary Club, was also at the meeting to express the Rotary’s interest in the property.
“The St. Mary’s Rotary Club is interested in adopting, per se, the property,” she said, adding that the property could be used as a possible historic nature park with walking paths and historical markers. “We’d like to do something, and the property seemed like a great start for the Rotary Club.”
Councilor Robin Willoughby suggested waiting on the purchase.
“Times are really hard right now,” she said, noting the recent layoffs in the community. “I think it should be set back and put on the back burner for a while.”
The property is located north of the Lutheran Cemetery.
Councilors also:
• Held the third readings of an ordinance requesting the Auglaize County Commissioners to petition the director of the Ohio Department of Development to designate annexed areas of the city as part of the Rural Jobs and Enterprise Zone.
• Held the third reading of a resolution authorizing a revised and updated Section 125 plan.
• Passed an ordinance, as emergency, authorizing a fire protection contract with Noble Township.
• Held the first reading of an ordinance to allow only the city to Aggregate Demand Response.
• Passed a resolution, as an emergency, authorizing demolition assessments.
• Held the first reading of a resolution authorizing the K.C. Geiger Park Improvement Committee to obtain a liquor permit for Bluesfest.
The city will hold the 2009 street program at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 5, and city councilors will meet next at 7 p.m. Feb. 9 in City Council Chambers. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 30 January 2009 )
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