T-L Photo/CARRI GRAHAM Brookside Village Council discusses matters during Monday’s meeting. Pictured from left are Mayor Richard Kurner, Solicitor Richard Myser and Councilman Roger Stewart.

BROOKSIDE — Those with lengthy grass may soon receive a notice followed by a citation for not maintaining their lawns.

Brookside Mayor Richard Kurner said during Monday’s Village Council meeting that he recently accompanied code enforcement officer and Fire Chief Allan Ketzell III around the village and they noted a few properties with tall grass. A village ordinance states that grass must not exceed 6 inches in length.

Kurner said Ketzell will be issuing notices in the coming weeks to the property owners in question. Residents who fail to comply with the warning may be issued a $200 fine as well as an additional $50 if village workers cut the grass themselves. According to the ordinance, the property owner has five days to cut their grass once the notice is issued.

Councilman Paul West said residents should be given some leeway, as the weather has been uncooperative the last week with bouts of rain occurring almost every day. Kurner agreed that the weather may be preventing some from mowing, but added that the three or four properties they witnessed with tall grass are repeat offenders.

In other matters, West said he approached numerous business owners to ask their thoughts about placing American flags outside their establishments along National Road. He said he thought having flags outside the new firehouse, the Church of God, Belmont Aggregates, his own yard, Top Notch Cleaning, Advance Auto Parts, Rite Carpet & Decorating, along with a couple other spots, would make a good display along the roadway. He said some of the businesses even offered to pay for the flags themselves.

The purchase and installation of flags was initially discussed during last month’s meeting, with council approving the purchase of up to six flags. West said he explained to the business owners that the village would be responsible for installing and taking the flags down.

Solicitor Richard Myser said they could request donations to assist in paying for the flags, and he offered to purchase two himself.

West said he wanted to ensure enough residents would be willing to install the flags prior to the village moving forward with the purchase.

Also, Kurner said he was contacted by American Electric Power, who informed him that it would be removing the traffic signal on Patterson Road on Wednesday for a construction project.

“So the red light is not going to be there for a while,” he said.

It was suggested that the village install a temporary stop sign once the traffic signal is removed. Kurner said they will have to figure out where they can install it.

Kurner also reminded Councilmen Roger Stewart and Dennis Kennedy that their terms are set to expire this year, along with his own, and they must submit their petitions by August if they would like to run again.

Toward the end of the meeting, Stewart said that council should recognize Assistant Fire Chief Allan Ketzell II for his recent honor of receiving the 2023 Ohio Fire Service Distinguished Service Award.

“It was very well deserved and not only a credit to himself, but also to the community,” he said.

Kurner thanked Ketzell II for his service to both the fire department and the village, where he served on council for 25 years.

Stewart made a recommendation to have a proclamation of appreciation drafted to present to Ketzell II at council’s next meeting, which is at 6 p.m. June 12 at the municipal building, located at 875 National Road.