The Paden City Police Department (PCPD) will have two new additions to their staff following the Paden City Council meeting on Monday. After a discussion in executive session, the council resumed the regular meeting and approved the hirings of Teresa Shreve as a police matron and Ginger Wilcox as a part-time dispatcher.

Regarding damage to the culvert and street on Seventh Avenue, council has received repair quotes from Thrasher Inc. A meeting will be arranged with the company to further discuss payment and repair possibilities. Mayor Hopkins stated that the city will most likely need to borrow money to fully repair these damages.

Following a claim of water damage to a property on West Main Street, where a pump allegedly continued to run and cause water to overflow into a basement, a pipe will be inserted to divert the water flow away from the property.

Councilman Larry Potts reported that the Paden City Development Authority had completed an electric upgrade at the industrial park and are still accepting renters there.

Councilman Tom Trader reported that more than 260 people attended the Gatlin performance in the park on July 25. A total of $308 was brought in from concessions and donations.

He also conveyed a discussion with Senator Larry Edgell, who he said may be able to attain $5,000 in grant money for various city purposes.

On a different note, he said that Senator Edgell complimented Paden City Fire Chief Jim Richmond. Councilman Trader then listed calls received by the fire department for the month of July.

Those calls included one motor vehicle accident, four service calls, one mutual aid and various calls during storms.

He also expressed appreciation of the police department.

“I want to commend the police department about the job they’ve done about the drugs in town,” he said.

Other items approved at the meeting included: the addition of a handicap parking space on 124 South Second Avenue; the purchase of radios for water department tanks at a cost of $6,882; a change of phone and internet service to Frontier Communications; an annual Public Service Commission report by Abraham & Company; a renewed annual contract with Complete Systems Support Inc. for $2,585; and to pay annual membership dues of $840 to the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council.

Council also heard comments from Paden City residents.

A man in attendance asked about the implementation of crossing guards for children on their way to elementary school. Because shift change occurs at that time in the morning, Police Chief Mike Kelly stated that they will try to schedule an officer to work over for that purpose.

A couple returned seeking answers about their neighbor’s alleged violations of city ordinances. Those suggested violations included a fence that was too high and a trailer sitting too close to their property line. The couple is concerned these matters could interfere with the safety and value of their own property.

Mayor Hopkins reported that their neighbor seemed cooperative when it came to the issue of the fence, which is to be cut down to three feet in height. However, he could not give them answers concerning the distance of the trailer from the property line.

“We don’t know where the property line is at,” he said. “I’m going to recommend to council in the future that when we have people come in with permits to do things, the property be required to be surveyed.”

City Attorney Carolyn Flannery described it as an issue between property owners and informed the couple that they can take legal action with a civil suit.

A couple living at North Sixth Avenue addressed flooding issues caused by a sewer drain, which they said is not handling the volume of water flowing into it. Mayor Hopkins informed them that the process of clearing the drain has begun, but they will need to hire a subcontractor to finish the job. When asked about a time frame, he would not at this time commit to one.

The same culvert was addressed by Donna Edgell, who returned to discuss the erosion of a bank beside her house. She fears that the foundation of her home may be damaged if the erosion continues. The city is working to procure grant money to help stabilize the bank.

Multiple people discussed problems they are having with the Third Avenue house destroyed by fire seven weeks ago. They mentioned objects that had been thrown out of the house, black soot created by rainfall, cars still in the backyard and high grass.

Mayor Hopkins informed them that the Fire Marshal’s Office should have a report finished in the near future. He also suggested that those whose homes were damaged or are in jeopardy of damage due to the burnt house speak with their insurance companies.

To this, a woman said she would have to come up with a $1,000 deductible for something that was not her fault, she would lose her “no claims” discount, her premium would go up and her policy would be in danger of being canceled.

“Your insurance company should be dealing with her insurance company,” said Flannery.

The woman suggested that the woman who formerly lived in the house may not have insurance.

“I understand that, but you can still file a civil suit,” she said. “At some point, some of this stuff becomes private property issues.”

Because the house is private property, the city cannot at this time take it down. However, Mayor Hopkins said that something is being done about it.

“It’s not being ignored,” he said.

A resident of South Seventh Avenue mentioned a problem he is having with a ditch near his house. According to him, a bank slides into it each time he tries to cleans it out. He is seeking help from council to procure a drainage tile, which he hopes can hold the bank in place.

Council approved the paying of city bills, as well as the minutes of the July 10 regular meeting and the July 12 and July 19 special meetings.