Mayors Message

Dear Resident,

A group of residents, council members, employees and I dedicated the renovated Community Building on Saturday, June 27 between rain drops. The building will be used for all meetings except for Council and Planning Commission and is being utilized by employees and staff already for business purposes. We also would like our residents to use this space for card clubs, book clubs, birthday parties and showers. Call Sherri at 440.248.1188 or email her at villagehall@morelandhills.com to reserve the community room or to get more information. There is no cost to use the room but you will be assessed a cleaning fee if you do not clean up after your party.

I have lived in the village for over 18 years and for the first time in my memory Village Hall will now be locked during business hours. Visitors now must be admitted into the building by one of our employees. Gillmore Security is providing the new, enhanced security system as you will note in the “Ordinances and Resolutions” section of this newsletter. I decided to look into an enhanced security system after an “incident” at Village Hall involving an employee and a resident. I consulted with Lieutenant Todd Dietzel, Service Director Ted DeWater and a representative from Gillmore and we all decided that enhanced security was necessary. I took that request to Council and they agreed that the time has come to install the security system. It should be installed by mid to late July. I am sad to lock the doors at Village Hall but I am responsible for the safety of our employees and definitely feel that it is necessary.

The Master Plan Committee assembled on July 7 for their initial meeting. The Committee is being chaired by Councilman Dan Fritz and the members are Jen Burke, David Cooper, Planning Commission Member Robin Cooper, David Haines, Sibyl McBride, Molly McCreadie, Sarah Richards and Sam Steinhouse. The Committee will be tasked with reviewing the previous Comprehensive Land Use Plan and making recommendations for updates, creating future goals for the village and engaging with the public for resident input.

As I told you in last month’s newsletter, Sergeant Janet Boehler has retired from the Moreland Hills Police force after nearly three decades of dedicated police work. The Village will host a party for her at Moreland Hills Village Park at Forest Ridge at 3800 Chagrin River Road. The party will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 pm on Saturday, September 12. A casual meal will be catered by Trifles. The cost for a ticket to attend is $35. All residents are invited; however you must RSVP to tdietzel@morelandhills.com.

Chief Wyant and Lieutenant Dietzel have rescheduled their planned meeting with residents for Monday, August 3 from 6:30 in the Community Building. You will learn more about how to protect yourself from identity theft, internet scams and burglary. You may meet some officers you have not previously met. It promises to be an interesting and informative meeting and I hope to see you there.

With all the rain the village has experienced some flooding. The Service Department is working diligently to keep the roads clear and to keep ditches flowing. If you are on a list for ditching improvements, please be patient. If you need your ditch to be evaluated please call Vickie at the Service Department at 440.248.1188. I’m hoping for sunshine!