LISBON — The Ohio Department of Transportation recently increased the village’s construction grant from $1.15 million to $1.3 million for the Pritchard Avenue bridge project.

“It’s a big savings for us,” Lisbon Mayor Peter Wilson said.

Wilson made the announcement a day after discussing the project during the recent Lisbon Village Council meeting, saying now that the grant amount has increased, the village shouldn’t have to use village funds towards the construction cost.

During the council meeting, he talked about needing to put village money in an escrow account, but now that may not be necessary. Fiscal Officer Tracey Wonner explained during the meeting that $80,000 would be taken from the capital expense fund and placed in a special fund to cover the additional estimated cost for construction. If the bids come in less than expected, the village would get the money back from escrow right away.

The original cost of the bridge project as of 2021 was estimated at $691,349, then increased to $1.15 million and now it’s estimated at up to $1.3 million. The project is expected to go out for bid sometime in February, with construction to begin in the spring and take about six months. That section of Pritchard Avenue, which is near McKinley School, will be closed.

Wilson said he planned to talk with school officials about the project and how it will affect the district.

The council meeting kicked off with Councilwoman Melissa Hiner being elected president. Hiner thanked the owners of Save a Lot in Lisbon “for your incredibly generous donation of three hams, along with condiments and cheeses, which helped make the Village of Lisbon’s Christmas Luncheon and the Firemen’s Christmas Dinner such a success.”

Each year, council members and the mayor host a dinner for village personnel and Save a Lot helped out.

“Your support truly made a difference and helped bring our community together for two wonderful holiday events sponsored by Lisbon Village Council and the Mayor. We are grateful for your kindness and continued commitment to Lisbon,” Hiner said.

Another donation came during the meeting from Sonja Hoover Gibson and Akron Brass to the Lisbon Fire Department. The equipment included two nozzles, a gate valve and two hydrant wrenches, valued at an estimated $3,000.

Lisbon Fire Chief Mark Hall said the department greatly appreciated the donation.

Lisbon resident Jereme Kliner addressed council regarding some complaints about government, including the lack of jobs and how hard it is for an honest business to make decent money. He also questioned what the village will do if ICE, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, shows up.

Village council made appointments to the Board of Zoning Appeals of Stanley Marshalek (2026-2030), Alisa Hall (2026-2029) and Ryan Berg (2026-2028) and reappointed Wendell Cole to the Cemetery Board (2-26-2028).

Council asked village Solicitor Alec Beech to check into the village’s ability to reduce the speed limit on a state route.

The mayor gave an update regarding the paving of East Washington Street, noting that the village didn’t spend the whole $35,000 received from the county and now has $13,230 that can be used for a village expense.

Wilson also asked for permission to put in a request for capital budget money from the state for swimming pool repairs, which would not require a match from the village, but Hiner said the problem is they don’t know what’s wrong with the pool and don’t know the cost to repair it. She said it wasn’t responsible to ask for the money when they don’t know how much it’s going to cost or what’s needed. A parks committee meeting was being scheduled to discuss the pool.

Council also heard about a proposal for two catch basins to be installed on West Lincoln Way and South Lincoln Avenue, and work to address a drainage problem on West Washington, before the state repaves state Route 164 in the village. Council heard about a problem with the village hall roof leaking, with the mayor agreeing to get quotes for the roof work.

In other matters, council: agreed to take a free team building course through the Rural Community Assistance Partnership; agreed to the removal of three trees on West Washington Street for $2,200, accepted the resignations of part-time police dispatcher Michael Fee and part-time police officer Dylan Berkheimer, promoted police officer William Dickson to full-time and hired part-time police officers Hunter Dailey and Sarina Stephen. Recently retired Lt. Shar Daub was hired for the commission for a part-time position, with Daub now working part-time as Common Pleas Court security.

The next village council meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 27.