Malvern council ponders decision on Reed St. property

By Thomas Clapper
Reporter
Malvern Village Council discussed Joe and Sue Chiurco’s S. Reed Ave. property at its Oct. 17 meeting as well as leasing of the Perfect Products building.
Malvern resident Joe Chiurco explained to council at the Sept. 19 meeting that he has a house that someone wants to buy but the bank won’t allow it because the driveway and garage technically sits on a village alley. Over 50 years ago another council member granted permission to do this.
“What happened 50 or so years ago I can’t do anything about,” said Mayor Bob DeLong. “It is up to the council what direction we would like to go. We can not find anything on this in our files and we do not know if it even was filed.”
Council appeared split on the decision. The members apprehensive about the idea cite they do not want to set a precedent of giving up property and others using this as an example.
“I think it also comes down to, what is the right thing to do?” said Councilman Jan Wackerly. “I am going to speak to the Regional Planning Committee about it in early November and we can revisit this then.”
DeLong added Superintendent of Village Services Jaime Shoemaker said to the best of his knowledge there is no waterlines underneath the alley. Council agreed to wait and hear more from Wackerly at the regional planning meeting.
DeLong informed council Village Administrator Chad Murdock said the village is allowed to lease part of the Perfect Product building under the condition it is published twice in local newspapers and advertised to the public. The village will write something up that makes sure they will not be liable and they are accepting offers from those who wish to lease the space.
Wackerly made a motion to post it in the paper two weeks and motion was unanimously approved.
In other business, council:
•RECEIVED $111 from the Malvern Market for pavilion use and allowing them to set up. They sent a thank you note to Malvern Council and Mayor DeLong for allowing them to try out the event this year.
•HEARD council briefly discuss the tree removal by Asplundh. “I don’t know who to tell people to call,” said DeLong. “We are not doing it, Asplundh is but we do not have a number to call.”
Council is going to work on finding a number and if anyone sees a representative out they will ask.
•HEARD Village Administrator Derik Kaltenbaugh inform council that the village trucks are prepared for the winter season.
•HELD an executive session for approximately 10 minutes about the employment of a public employee. No action was taken.
•HEARD Wackerly attended the ambulance district meeting, they reported 85 calls have been received since the last time.
•PAID village bills from appropriate funds for $73,397.44 pre-approved by the Finance Committee on Oct. 17; and $7,111.79 in payroll pre-approved by the Finance Committee and paid on Oct. 13.
The next regular council meeting is set for Nov. 7 at village hall.