Malvern Council approves raises for employees

After a 16-minute executive session Malvern Council approved raises for village employees during the July 6 meeting. 

Councilman Craig DeLong made the motion to enter an executive session for compensation of a public employee or official. Council approved with Barb Burgess abstaining. Council members,  Mayor Bob DeLong, Village Administrator Derik Kaltenbaugh and Fiscal Officer Ashley Neading joined the session. 

Upon returning to regular session, Councilman Tom Holmes made the motion to give $1 raises to Teri Foster, Jeff Burgess and Ryan Lawson; and a 50-cent raise to Jamie Shoemaker and Linda Clapper beginning with the July 17 pay period. Council approved the motion. Burgess abstained. 

In an unrelated matter, council approved additional vendors for the farmers market at the park. They include As Intended Farm (soaps, bath salts, bath bombs, breads, herbs and elderberry products); Jules Crafts & Creations (wreaths, flower arrangements, wood products); Cindy’s Creations (handmade jewelry with natural stones); AJS Crochet & Oh Sew Over It (crocheted items); and Tiffany Brown (handmade resin art). 

Councilwoman Marci Hubbard reported she has received good feedback from the market. 

Kaltenbaugh told council the Malvern Community Development Fund (MCDF) discussed removing the white fence posts at Malvern Park and replacing them with close to 200 flowering trees. Council discussed the cleanup and maintenance associated with the addition of the trees and the difficulty of maintaining as they grow. They decided not to proceed with the tree project and noted there are other solutions that would require less maintenance. 

In other business, council:

-HEARD guest Sondra Houz discuss her neighbor runs sprinklers to water his lawn, which run across the sidewalk and at times into the middle of the road. She was concerned about people walking being forced into the road by the sprinklers and driver’s going left of center to avoid the sprinklers. Kaltenbaugh explained there is no law against watering lawns or water going on the sidewalk. He noted he would talk to the resident in an attempt to resolve the matter.

-LEARNED grants are progressing and Kaltenbaugh noted the village is “still in the running” for Phase I Waterline grants. 

-DISCUSSED the possibility of a “No Outlet” sign at the end of Charles Richards driveway on E. Wood St. He is having issues with vehicles driving back his lane and turning around.

-HEARD Average Joe’s would be contacted regarding the removal of trees at the Campbell property. 

-APPROVED the 2023 budget.

-PAID bills totaling $51,887.10 for vendors and $8,135.35 for payroll.