By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Representatives of the Bucyrus Little League spoke to the Public Lands and Buildings Committee Thursday night with an update on the city’s youth baseball league.
In the update the Little League representatives noted that they had switched their youth major league division from Little League International to the Cal Ripken organization due to Little League International regulations on the girl’s division, which would limit the city’s league to just three teams, as well as issues with rules on hosting tournaments.
The new youth baseball program will compete under the Crawford County Youth Baseball and Softball League. The city’s youth minor leagues will still compete under the Little League banner.
The Public Lands and Buildings Committee approved the policy to allow office space to any elected state or federal officials to hold open office hours.
Bucyrus Mayor Jeff Reser presented the idea for Bucyrus to take part as a pilot program to Open Checkbook Ohio. The program, which is the brainchild of State Treasurer Josh Mandel, allows the public to view where local government tax dollars are being spent through the website OhioCheckbook.com; currently, the website only shows state spending.
The Finance Committee tabled approving the implementation of the program until the mayor provides more information on it.
The Finance Committee approved appropriations of $1,050 under lands and buildings for playscape maintenance, and $15,000 to the Fire Department for the purchase of new radios and maintenance to the city’s fire trucks.
The Platting Committee announced that a public hearing on signage will take place at 6 p.m. on June 30.
The Bucyrus Economic Development Committee approved sending Tax Abatements for Mennel Milling, Weithman Bucyrus, and Bucyrus Precision Tech.
Bucyrus Law Director Rob Ratliff reported that he will be meeting with county officials next week to review what the county will want to do with the waterlines in the city’s Service Committee. City Service/Safety Director Jeff Wagner noted that currently the county is looking for availability to pick up extra customers in the county for the water.
The Health and Safety Committee got one step closer to resolving the indigent burial issue. Law Director Ratliff noted that he would be meeting with county officials next Thursday on use of Potter’s Field to scatter the ashes of indigents whose remains go unclaimed by their families.