With the return of warm weather come the problems of unattended dogs, cats, and children that Middlebourne Council discussed last year and the year before that and the year before that.

Meeting April 14, Mayor Gayla Fisher and council sat down to discuss solutions to the problem.

“Already this week I’ve made three calls about dogs chasing people, nipping at people,” she said. “The cat owners I can’t even track down.”

She continued by stating how sad she felt it was that persons wishing to walk or exercise are forced to carry sticks.

“Some of them will nip,” Fisher said.

“The bottom line is, if you want to own a pet, you have to be responsible. It’s just frustrating and upsetting,” she said.

Middlebourne does have an ordinance against loose dogs that carries a fine of $10 for the first offense and $50 for the second. Fisher said she is willing to up the ante. First she recommended the first offense be made $50 due to the numerous public warnings that have been issued in recent years.

“I called five different shelters in the area and the guy in Parkersburg said he may be able to help,” she said. “We pick up your cat or dog and drive it to Parkersburg. It’s going to cost you $50 and your gas to get your dog out.”

Treasurer Dave Smith said the town had hired a part-time dog catcher that helped alleviate the problem for a few seasons.

“Believe it or not, a lot of people have been calling me about little kids playing in the street. I want to remind people to keep an eye on their kids. We need to stop this before it becomes a problem,” Fisher said.

Under old business, the mayor said she planned to meet with property owners along the proposed Main Street Project route to discuss moving utility lines behind properties.

Smith was granted permission to make a budget revision of $175,000 to match the Division of Highway’s grant to the town for the project. The money was originally set aside from previous Stealey Foundation awards.

Councilman Bob Clem updated council and the mayor on efforts to secure a new cable company for the town. At the March meeting, Clem said he had heard rumors of a digital line coming near the town’s borders. Upon further research, he said it was a copper line, but he had spoken to a representative who would do a cost analysis of potential customers.

Council gave permission to the Tyler County Master Gardners to conduct a Farmer’s Market during the summer at the Tyler County Museum and Stealey Green Community Center.

Members also approved Fisher’s request of $125 to “spruce up” the front of the city building with further landscaping and $250 to Smith who will purchase a new water bill drop box for the front of the city building.

According to Smith, he will donate labor and other materials. The box is to be installed by the front of the walk to allow persons to drive up to the drop area and deposit bills without having to leave their vehicles.

It was announced that an ice cream truck would make Middlebourne part of its route during the warm months beginning sometime this month.

Finally, council approved volunteer Teddy Stackpole to help with yard work around the water plant and heard of a memorial for Jesse Ault planned for April 26 at Tyler Consolidated High School. Ault was killed in Iraq.