LISBON — Council members learned Tuesday about an upcoming stone quarry land deal for the Columbiana County Park District that could further promote the area and bring in tourism.

“I think it’s a fabulous piece of property out there,” Eileen Dray-Bardon of the park district said.

She explained the land is owned by Maureen Kerestes, who’s working on an agreement with the Western Reserve Land Conservancy to buy the 29 acres which is adjacent to Little Beaver Creek Greenway Trail near Logtown Road and Camp McKinley and stretches to Thomas Road.

The Western Reserve Land Conservancy is working on securing grant funding for the purchase and has asked the park district to take the property once it’s acquired.

“We should take possession in March or April,” Dray-Bardon said.

A letter of support was received from the Ohio Climbers Association, with Dray-Bardon noting how much use the area gets from climbers. She also talked about the history of the quarry, how it’s believed the stone for the Old Stone House in Lisbon was quarried there, along with stones for the Columbiana County Courthouse.

She said the park district hopes to work with the Lisbon Historical Society on signage explaining the historical significance of the stone quarry.

She just wanted council to be aware of what was happening with the property. While there, she also thanked street foreman Jim Oliver and Councilman Jerry Cox for their help with mowing and cleanup on the Greenway East Extension that follows state Route 154 to the Park & Ride.

Councilman Tom Darcy asked if there was any word on the signs for Jefferson Street to warn bicyclists about the fire department. Dray-Bardon said that will be discussed at the next park district meeting. She said it wasn’t a bike trail requirement for those signs, but a responsibility of the village, but the board was going to vote on participating in the sign purchase.

Under the Board of Public Affairs report, board chairman Bill Hoover reported the connection was successfully completed Monday on Lisbon-Canfield Road for the north end pressure improvement project, with only 10 properties without water for a period of time instead of the larger area officials had previously announced. Only a few properties were under a boil water. He also reported the bump in the road on Lisbon-Canfield Road before Vincent has been fixed. Work is continuing on the supply line and needed easements.

In other business, Mayor Peter Wilson reported the surveying has begun for the Pritchard Avenue bridge replacement project and should be finished by the end of November.

For the electrical aggregation plan, he said Trebel Aggregation was still accepting bids for the supplier, but the lowest so far was 0.06875 per kilowatt hour for 17 months. When he knows the final figure, he’ll let council know.

Council members also discussed the Willow Grove tree removal project after an update from Wilson regarding the contractor’s desire to put a stump in the water to help with erosion.

“I think we should remove all the stumps,” Cox said.

Councilwoman Dawn Thomas was also under the understanding that everything was to be removed. She questioned who was making the suggestion to leave a stump in the water and asked whether an expert should be consulted.

Wilson said he could talk to the Columbiana Soil and Water Conservation District for their take on it.

The mayor also reported the students from the high school have finished painting the snow plows and did a great job. He suggested having plow trucks in the Christmas parade so everyone can see them.

Council approved the purchase of a used bucket truck from Columbiana Tree Service and some work that needs done on the truck for an amount not to exceed $27,500. Cox said the price for the truck was $22,500, it’s a 2006 and has 120,000 miles on it, but he said it has “all the bells and whistles.”

Fiscal Officer Tracey Wonner reported that the Chevy Suburban and Vac-con sewer vacuum truck the village agreed to auction off were placed on govdeals.com on Oct. 17 and will remain on there until Oct. 31. So far there have been 16 bids for the Chevy Suburban with $2,123 the highest. The reserve amount set by the village was $4,000. There have been two bids so far for the Vac-con, with $1,025 the highest. The reserve bid was set at $1,500.

Wonner advised council members about the Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce awards dinner from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 16 at Eleanor Acres on state Route 45.

Wilson reminded residents about the chamber’s Zombie Trunk or Treat Crawl from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday in the courthouse parking lot.

The next council meeting will be 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14.

mgreier@mojonews.com