LEETONIA- The village is moving closer to restoring the Cherry Valley Coke Ovens.

At its regular meeting Wednesday night, Village Council created an advisory commission to oversee the project, which would not only restore the ovens and railroad car isles to their original state, but reconstruct an original barn to house an industrial museum and study space, as well as establish a botanical garden and walking trail around the site. The project will also incorporate the Little Beaver Creek Greenway Trail with the anticipation that the trail will be heavily used, thus exposing Leetonia to travelers.

According to Bill Merdich, an advisor to the village's Shade Tree Commission, the establishment of an advisory committee will increase the village's chances when applying for grants.

The commission will now develop a comprehensive plan for the site to use when applying for funding assistance.

Council also agreed to designate the coke ovens and surrounding area as an historic site through the Ohio Historic Preservation Office's Certified Local Government Program and expressed support for the Little Beaver Creek Land Foundation to create a watershed-based planning commission in the Ohio Balanced Growth Program that helps communities balance conservation of nature while promoting development.

According to Greg Aaron of the foundation, by participating in the Certified Local Government Program, the village will be eligible for a greater number of grants as well as increase it's chances of obtaining financial assistance.

"It's a good resource to have if you attempt the size of project [Merdich] has suggested," he said. "This puts you ahead of other projects that are not members of the program, particularly in grants specified for the program."

Council will be able to

include the entire village in the program in the future if so inclined, Aaron noted.

In other news, council hired former Washingtonville sergeant detective Brian Deack, who had resigned from that department on Monday, as a part-time, fill-in officer; and approved the $606 purchase of 29 lettered sweatshirts for the EMS to help identify the personnel.

Village Administrator Gary Phillips reminded residents that brush pick-up will continue today and Friday on the south side and next week on the north side. Brush must be stacked on the curb lawn in the same direction with pieces not to exceed four feet in length. Only one pass will be made and any brush put out afterward will be the resident's responsibility to remove. Leaf pick-up will begin shortly thereafter, weather permitting, and residents are asked not to mix anything with the leaves.

The village's Halloween Parade will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 on Main Street from Elm Street to the Fire Hall, with a costume contest and refreshments following at the Fire Hall; and Trick-or-Treat will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.

The Revitalization Committee's third annual Chili Cook-off and Cornhole Tournament Halloween Celebration will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at Wick Park.

The next council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 4 in council chambers.

Kevin Howell can be reached at khowell@salemnews.net