ABERDEEN, Ohio — Village Council announced on Thursday the proposed completion of an ongoing project, as well as an upcoming event and further improvements for Aberdeen.

“Before we start, I just want everybody to know that last year was a good year I think for the village, we got the levy passed and stuff like that, and I want to start off the beginning of the year running for our goals,” said Mayor Jason Phillips.

Phillips said the third and final phase of a project which will construct a walk path and island for pedestrian crossing across the highway.

“The walk path is probably going to get to the third phase. The walk path will be going up where Cooper [Homes] is at to the produce sales. The final phase will be happening this year where we’ll be getting an island put in the middle of US 52 just down there where it crosses [by Cooper Homes]. They’ve been working on that for about four years, and it should happen this year. The island will be, if a pedestrian comes up, they hit a thing, it’ll actually be flash marks, it won’t be a stop sign or a stop light, but you’ll be able to go across and get on to the island and look across and make sure you can go across. Lot of stuff that’ll just be good for pedestrians,” said Phillips.

Shari Stafford, councilwoman, said that will address the crosswalk issue.

Police Chief David Benjamin said March 21 will be the second annual Day One Event.

“Last year, the fire department, life squad and police department went together and had the event. It’s kind of aimed toward drug rehabilitation and different facilities of that nature that may offer something toward addicts as well as other medical situations or mental health,” said Benjamin. Benjamin said last year the event procured around 30 vendors, though this year, he’d like to have somewhere close to 50.

“We’ve partnered with a facility that’s getting ready to open in Georgetown by the name of Brightview [Health], they do outpatient treatment for drug rehabilitation and things of that nature, and they’ve agreed to provide food for that day so that we can feed everybody that walks through the door. Brown County Health Department is also partnering with us, so that they can provide some free items and different things that they’re going to pass out,” said Benjamin.

The event will be from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. at the community building located next to the fire department. Benjamin also said the event will have some special guest speakers as well.

“Last year we had a couple of folks who were recovering addicts who got up and spoke about their story. It was very successful and I think went over very well,” said Benjamin.

Benjamin also posed a grant for council approval that will pay partial salary to another full-time officer. He also proposed the promotion of Marcus Callahan to sergeant. Callahan is currently in charge of the evidence room and evidence collection, and has been a chief prior to his 16 months at the Aberdeen Police Department. The council chose to discuss hiring, hourly role and salary in the privacy of executive session.

Councilwoman Stafford also delivered news that funds from previous grants in 2018-19 had gone unused, and could be expended toward the greater good of the people. All expenditures have to be central for village operation and benefit all taxpayers. The council discussed the possibility of using those leftover funds for new security cameras at the park, culverts, and repaving and repairing roadways.

Aberdeen Village Council met Thursday about an ongoing project, an upcoming event and village improvements.
https://maysville-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/web1_20200117_121907.jpgAberdeen Village Council met Thursday about an ongoing project, an upcoming event and village improvements.

Ashley McCarty

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