Permission sought to install suicide lifeline signs in Lisbon
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LISBON -- The Columbiana County Suicide Prevention Coalition is bringing attention to 988, the national suicide and crisis lifeline number people in crisis can call for help.
Maureen Waybright of the coalition recently talked with Lisbon Village Council about posting signs to advertise 988 as part of the Ohio 988 Awareness Project.
"This project is designed to increase awareness and visibility of the 988 Lifeline in high-traffic public recreation areas throughout Columbiana County," she said.
She offered to the village signs and other awareness material that can be put up in Lisbon parks and the square in downtown Lisbon, including the signs on 6-foot posts, banners, weatherproof decals and educational materials that include flyers and cards.
"We want to get the word out in a more permanent way," Waybright said.
She said they'll even provide the posts needed for the signs. The project is funded through a grant from the Suicide Prevention Coalition, which is working with the Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board. She said other communities are also placing the signs, saying she spoke with Salem Parks & Recreation.
Village Zoning Inspector Zachary Barkley attended the recent meeting and said the square is technically the county's land so the county commissioners would have to be asked about putting up permanent signage on the square.
There was talk, though, about the village putting signs up at Cedar Park and maybe Willow Grove Park and figuring something out for the square.
In other business, Mayor Peter Wilson gave an update on the swimming pool, reporting on the plans to use ground penetrating sonar to get a better look at what's happening with the leakage. He also reported the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association may have a swimming pool engineer for Lisbon to use, with questions raised about having to get proposals for engineers. Councilwoman Melissa Hiner, who also serves as council president, said the village should go through OMEGA regarding the engineer.
Regarding funding, Wilson said he spoke with county commissioners and $50,000 may be available from American Rescue Plan Act funds, but must be spent by the end of the year to purchase items that can be used for the pool. Council agreed to accept the $50,000 Wilson talked about, with the Parks Committee of village council setting a meeting for 5:30 p.m. today to put together a list of equipment needed for the pool and to discuss Playtown. Hiner said an anonymous donor is willing to donate for what needs done for the Playtown playground.
Council also agreed to approve a plan for early renewal of the Anthem medical insurance plan with a 5% increase and a $2,500 premium credit. Previously, there had been talk about a 12% increase. Fiscal Office Tracey Wonner said another company talked about a possible savings for changing to another provider. She said council could take the early renewal with Anthem to ensure only a 5% increase and credit, but still look for a better deal and back out without a penalty.
Council approved a request from the Board of Public Affairs to transfer $75,000 in ARPA funds meant for a sand filtration filter to instead use it for the state Route 45 water line project.
The next meeting of Lisbon Village Council is 6:30 p.m. Oct. 13.