LISBON — Lisbon Mayor Peter Wilson said he’s optimistic the swimming pool will be open in 2027, but he’s still saying the pool will not open this year due to repairs needed for the filtration system and repairs to stop leakage.

Wilson said the splash pad will be open, but he said he didn’t think getting the pool open would be realistic.

During last week’s council meeting, Councilwoman Susan Temple reported Pittsburgh Pool Hounds completed testing at the pool with micro sonar equipment and provided a diagram showing the location of leaks and cracks which are leaking or seeping. According to Wilson, the suggestion was to replace the caulking.

“They found no huge problems with the pool,” Wilson said, adding it’s just a matter of getting the filtration system back up and making the repairs to the cracks, which are near the seams.

Wilson has been posting updates on the pool situation on social media, saying the issues are due to the age of the pool, which was originally built in 1956 with a grant from Sadie Van Fossan and a swimming pool levy, with the deep end built in 1979.

When asked why not just build a new pool, he said it would cost at least $1 million. At this point, he said the pool can be repaired. Another test needs to be done on the skimmers and the pipes that return treated water to the pool.

Council agreed to allow Wilson to submit a request of $150,000 from the state capital expenditure budget through Sen. Al Cutrona’s office to pay for a new filtration system, an Americans With Disabilities Act-compliant ladder/chair and other miscellaneous repairs. The award will not be known possibly until June, with the money available in 2027 as a reimbursement.

There was also an offer of work made by Heim Sheet Metal for the filter tank system, which council appreciated, but Council President Councilwoman Melissa Hiner suggested holding off on that work, noting if a new filtration system is purchased, the old one will need torn out and replaced.

Wilson said there are a lot of variables at this time regarding the pool, with a lot of work to be done.

To kick off the council meeting, Wilson asked for a moment of silence to remember Lisbon resident Bob Hunt Jr., who passed away on March 9 after many years of helping out in the village. Wilson said he did so much for the community over the years, saying he not only loved Lisbon, but he lived Lisbon.

Under new business, council promoted Sgt. Neil Clark to the position of lieutenant based on a recommendation by Police Chief Mike Abraham. Clark joined the department in January 2020 and had been a detective before recently being promoted to sergeant and now lieutenant.

Council held the first reading on a change to cemetery pricing when cemetery employees can’t finish their duties by 3 p.m. for funerals, there will be a charge of $75 per man per hour with a minimum of $150. That’s the only proposed change, with all other pricing remaining the same as before.

Also approved was an additional appropriation of $60,000 for the cemetery fund for the purchase of a new tractor and attachments. Council agreed to a quote of $1,200 for Barnes Tree Service to remove a honey locust tree in the 300 block of East Chestnut Street and trim the neighboring honey locust tree. Council approved bringing former administrative assistant Zach Mayer back for four hours at the administrative assistant rate of pay to train the new administrative assistant Lily Sechrist on the Shade Tree tracker program. Council agreed to join the Pickleball Association at no cost to be eligible for a grant.

Wilson reported there’s a $500 cost for the electronic recycling set for July 18 which will be paid by the Carroll Columbiana Harrison County Solid Waste District. More details about the recycling event will be released closer to the date.

A proposed policy for bidding on projects under the Ohio Revised Code monetary threshold was tabled, with Hiner asking everyone to review the draft that includes changes made by the Finance Committee which were reviewed by Village Solicitor Alec Beech. Also tabled was the speed limit reduction/school zone declaration for a new school zone at Lincoln Way and Pritchard Avenue, with Beech contacting Lisbon Schools Superintendent Joe Siefke for information needed.

Council also reviewed a draft permit presented by Beech for right of way requests in the village, with a fee of $50 suggested. The permit would be reviewed by both the street supervisor and senior plant operator before coming before council. It was also explained that the village already has a permit process in place for a road cut, so if a request was both for right of way and road cutting, two permits would be required. Beech was directed to prepare a resolution for the right of way permit process which includes the $50 fee for a permit for the next meeting.

Council approved spending up to $13,500 for the codification of ordinances by American Legal Publishing, specifically any ordinances passed since the last codification and any state statutes. The quote for the estimated cost was $11,000 to $12,500 plus another $900 to $1,000 for online updates. There was some discussion over the cost being higher, with Fiscal Officer Tracey Wonner explaining the new zoning code will be included, which is a large ordinance. Councilman Joe Morenz suggested getting another estimate, but Wonner said that would cost more because the entire library of ordinances would need to be codified by a new company.

The next meeting of village council will be 6:30 p.m. March 24 at village hall.