Village of Hiram
Hiram Village Council passed legislation for the village administrator to build a structure to be able to sell water. Currently, the village does not sell water.
“We have the problem of too much water in the village, which is unusual,” Mayor Anne Haynam said. “At our water plant, they’ll be essentially setting up a meter system so that water-carrying vehicles can pull up and arrange to fill their tanks, and we don’t have to man it. If someone wants to fill their pool, those water-hauling companies won’t have to drive as far to get the water.”
The key here is that the village has an asset of too much water to the point where it is almost a problem.
“We don’t turn over enough water, particularly in the summer when the Hiram College campus is empty,” Haynam said. “It’s a problem for us, and this is a positive way to address not turning over as much water as we want to and then also being able to monetize it. We’ll have a system that will be up to the current state standards. Before, you could tap into a hydrant, and now you can’t do that anymore; it’s illegal. We’re going to be positioned in a really good place because there’s not a lot of competition for this. There’s a market for it.”
A proposed external maintenance code will be on second read at the city council meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 8 at Village Hall at 11617 State Route 700. It will be up for a vote at third read in May. Essentially, the external maintenance code establishes some basic standards for safety and maintenance of exterior structures and property.
“This is something new in the village,” Haynam said. “If people have concerns, they can come to council and discuss it.”
There is now a partnership between the Village of Hiram and the Hiram College marketing and management office. Four student groups are working with the village in various capacities for economic development. This marks a change because, traditionally, those student groups were going to Cleveland and other places to do projects and internships.
“This is a shift in that those student groups are starting to look at, ‘Wow, well, let’s see if we can do this in our backyard rather than driving to Cleveland and some of these other places to have experiences,’ ” Haynam said. “We have two existing local businesses working with the students, and we have two groups that are working with our efforts to revitalize our downtown. It’s really an exciting process. We have a college here, and for them to be embracing our community really means a lot.”
Village of Hiram Chief of Police Brian Gregory will be retiring in June.
“Most likely,” Haynam said, “we’re going to promote somebody to fill the position.”
Hiram Township
The Hiram Township Trustees are getting bids for the annual chip-and-seal for either a third or half of the township’s roads. The project should be completed by the end of the summer.
Garrettsville
The Garrettsville Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Casino Bus Trip will be Tuesday, April 22. The fully equipped deluxe motorcoach will depart SkyLane Bowling at 8:45 a.m. for the trip to Hollywood Casino at The Meadows in Washington, Pennsylvania (just outside Pittsburgh), which includes a racetrack, hotel and entertainment. The motorcoach will return to SkyLane at 8 p.m. SkyLane is located at 8311 Windham St. The trip will benefit the 2025 Garrettsville SummerFest.
The casino features 2,500 slot machines, more than 65 table games, a poker room with 14 tables, and a brand-new sportsbook. The current Bus Bonus program includes $20 Penn Slot Pay for each passenger. There will be a dinner stop at a Cracker Barrel on the way home (at your own expense). Cost is $70 per person; payment is due by Tuesday, April 15. To reserve your seat, call or text Aaron King at 330-524-2646.
The Garrettsville SummerFest Golf Scramble will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 24 at Riverview Golf Course at 3903 State Route 82 in Newton Falls. Registration is at 9 a.m. The format will be a four-person scramble. Cost is $80 per person or $320 per team (includes beverages, lunch and dinner). There will be a $360 cash prize for lowest score. Other prizes will be for longest drive, longest putt, closest to pin and skins. You can sponsor a hole for $50. For more information and to register, call or text Aaron King at 330-524-2646. Make checks payable to Garrettsville SummerFest and send to Garrettsville SummerFest, 8311 Windham St., Garrettsville, OH 44231.
The Chamber of Commerce’s annual community yard sale will be all day May 16 to May 18. Maps can be picked up at most area stores.
“We usually have more than 100 participants,” Chamber board of directors member and Garrettsville event organizer Aaron King said.
Garrettsville’s first Chamber Car Cruise of the season will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 24 on Main Street downtown. Awards will be given out in several categories, and there will be musical entertainment.
Village of Mantua
Spring Fling Day will be Wednesday, April 30 at the Crestwood Community Center in Buchert Park’s lodge. The park is located at 4810 High St. To start things off, there will be hikes, crafts and fun from 9 to 11 a.m. with the Portage County health and park districts. A free lunch will be provided at noon by Sirna’s Kitchen. At 12:30 p.m., Juli Robine will present healthy habits. Finally, at 1 p.m., there will be games such as trivia, word games, cornhole and bocce plus drawings and prizes.
SAIL (Stay Active and Independent for Life) into the future with exercises designed for those 65 and older. Join in the SAIL class at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 30 at the Crestwood Community Center inside Buchert Park’s lodge at 4810 E. High St.
Stop by the Granary parking lot and basement at 4690 E. Prospect St. from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 11 for the first Farmers and Makers Market of the year. Get your fresh produce, eggs, honey and baked goods!
Beacon Hues Glass, located at 10511 Main St., will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 3. The event will include tours and snacks. The new business will feature an art gallery and a studio where you can take stained-glass classes.
The Portage County District Library Bookmobile will be at Buchert Park at 4810 E. High St. at noon Wednesdays April 9, April 16 and April 23. Check out new books, return old ones, meet new friends and participate in library programs.
Mantua Township
A fundraising dinner for the Mantua Restoration Society will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 11 in the Mantua Center School’s gymnasium. The school is located at 11741 Mantua Center Rd. You can dine in or carry out. There is no charge, but donations are accepted. A variety of entrées will be provided, including one supplied each month by Main Street on the River. Several salads and a variety of desserts – including homemade pies – will be served. All food is home-cooked and donated by MaRSI members. Light piano music will be provided by Steve Stork. For more information, contact Susan Pollard at 330-586-8337.
There will be an Easter brunch at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 19 at Corners Catering & Event Center at 11845 State Route 44. Price is $13 for ages 9 and up, and $5 for children ages 6-8. There is no charge for children 5 and under. At noon, there will be a free Easter egg hunt open to the Mantua-Shalersville area. Bring a basket and join the fun!
The following Saturday, at 6 p.m. April 26, the Crestwood Band Boosters’ “Night at the Races” fundraiser for ages 21 and over will be at Corners Catering & Event Center. Tickets must be pre-ordered; cost is $40 per person or $275 for a table of eight (includes dinner and two drink tickets). To purchase tickets or for more information, email [email protected].
Nelson
Nelson’s annual township cleanup will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27 at the Nelson Township Community House at 11642 Windham Parkman Rd. Items that will not be accepted are hazardous waste, paint, oil, yard waste and construction materials. Six tires per resident will be accepted (car and pickup truck tires only). This is for Nelson residents only; proper ID must be presented.
The township road department will do 5.4 miles of chip-and-seal this year on Prentiss Road, Bancroft Road and Chalker Road at a cost of approximately $120,000.
Windham Township
The Windham Township Trustees made a resolution to take advantage of the Ohio Revised Code to reclaim Windham Township Cemetery lots that were purchased prior to 1986 but are not used.
“We’re trying to reach out to potential owners, the local newspapers and our website,” township Vice Chair Rich Gano said. “After 180 days, the lots come back to the township so we can repurpose them. Years ago, people would buy cemetery lots and then move to Florida and get remarried, but they never sold the lots back to us.”
The annual township cleanup will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26 (or until the dumpsters are full) behind the American Legion at the wastewater treatment plant at 9958 E. Center St. Up to four tires per household will be accepted.
Items that will not be accepted are paint, flammable items and construction materials. You must be a resident of Windham Township or the Village of Windham; proper ID must be presented.
Barb’s Bargains, formerly known as Surplus Deals, opened recently in the plaza behind Circle K at 8922 E. Center St.
