The Council of the Village of Woodsfield
November 3, 2025
The Council of the Village of Woodsfield met for a Public Hearing on November 3, 2025.
I. Roll Call:
Present: Council Members; Dale English, Tom Kirkland, Alicia Gardner, Tiffany Ramsay, Matt Schaber, Mayor Carol Hehr, Fiscal Officer Lori Cunard, Solicitor Ryan Regel, and Village Administrator Kevin Brooks.
Absent: Council member Anthony McDaniel.
After the Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Hehr called the Public Meeting to order.
Mayor Hehr stated that before anyone in attendance speaks, she needed to let them know that the map for the alley in Watson’s Third Addition beginning at Ohio Street has an error. She said that the map shows we would vacate the alley from Ohio Street to the Jonathan and Nicloe Wilson property, and their property should not be included. They maintain the property, and they use the property to get to the back of their property. She asked Council to table this alley until a new map can be drawn.
Jonathan Wilson – Jonathan Wilson said he would like to leave the alley open passed his property. Solicitor Regel said if Jonathan Wilson is willing to maintain the property and Council goes ahead with the vacating of the alley the property would go to Mr. Wilson. He said he would rather the Village not vacate the alley because if they do, he will only get half of it whereas, if it is not vacated, he would still have legal access to the whole alley. Solicitor Regel said he just wanted to clarify with him.
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to table the vacating of the alley in Watson’s Third Addition until a new map can be drawn that does not include the Wilson’s property. Dale English made the motion. Tiffany Ramsay second the motion. Anthony McDaniel – absent. Motion passed 5-0.
Irma Highman – Irma Highman asked if Council would be voting on this alley at the next Council meeting. Mayor Hehr explained that she did not know how soon it would be because it would depend on when we would get the corrected map.
Irman Highman suggested personally notifying the affected residents when vacating alleys. Mayor Hehr said all affected residents should have received letters but some residents in attendance spoke up and said they did not receive a letter. Irma Highman said when her alley was vacated, she did not receive a letter either.
Mayor Hehr said the second alley is Buckio’s First Addition, off of East Marietta Street. Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to vacate the alley in Buckio’s First Addition. Matt Schaber made the motion. Tiffany Ramsay second the motion. Anthony McDaniel – absent. Motion passed 5-0.
Mayor Hehr said the Third alley is in the Ellen Koehler Addition between Holiday Ave. and Cherry St. She said that Scott Dierkes owns half of the property and Charles Hoff owns the other half. Scott Dierkes is out of town at the time, but he is in favor of vacating the alley. Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to vacate the alley in the Ellen Koehler addition. Someone asked what happens to the property when the alley is vacated. Solicitor Regel explained that when the vacation goes through the property owner on one side will have ownership up to the center line of the alley and the property owner on the other side will have ownership of the alley on the other side to the center line. The resident said they have taken care of the property for the last 40 years, they have trimmed trees and mowed the alley. Solicitor Regel said from a legal perspective the Village is not responsible and the resident would have to talk with Mr. Hoff. Dale English made the motion. Tom Kirkland second the motion. Anthony McDaniel – absent. Motion passed 5-0.
Mayor Hehr said the fourth alley is located off of Hancock St. and John St.
A resident spoke and said everyone would still have a way to get to and from their homes. He sees no reason to oppose the vacating, and he understands the Village would not be responsible to take care of it if it is vacated it would then be up to the property owners.
Mitch Schumacher – Mitch Schumacher said he did not receive a letter regarding the vacating of the alley. He read his statement which said he is adamantly opposed to the vacating of the alley. The alley was originally platted as a 40-foot street which was then reduced to a 16-foot alley. Mitch Schumacher said he and his neighbors have been opposed to the vacating of the alley. During his 15 years as a County Commissioner the only properties considered for vacation or closure were ones with no
opposition. He said this will impact the value of his property for development and re-sale as the platted access was part of the original value.
Paul Howell – Paul Howell is against the vacating because he said he will be given property that he will be worse off having and he will have no access to the back of his house. He said this is the fifth time
he has been to a Council meeting for the same reason, and he doesn’t know why Council keeps bringing it up.
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to approve the vacating of the alley off Hancock Street and John Street. Dale English made the motion. Tom Kirkland second the motion. Anthony McDaniel – absent. Matt Schaber – no. Dale English said it originally was a 40-foot street and 8-foot was taken off each side and given to the resident property owners. He said now the 16-foot alley will be split and the residents will all be given 8 more feet so he does not know how Mr. Howell will not be able to get to the back of his house. Mr. Howell said when the 8-foot was originally given he did not own the property and now there is a fence and bushes built up to the property line. He said he checked on having everything taken out and putting in a driveway at the back of his property, but it would cost $15,000.00 so he said it is causing him a hardship. Motion passed 4-1.
Adjourn:
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to adjourn from the Public Hearing. Matt Schaber made the motion. Tiffany Ramsay second the motion. Anthony McDaniel – absent. Motion passed 5-0. Public Hearing adjourned at 5:31 p.m.
ATTEST:
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Carol Hehr, Mayor Lori Cunard, Fiscal Officer