KETTLERSVILLE — Kettlersville Village Council met June 6 and discussed a variety of topics, including medical marijuana. During a previous meeting, Shelby County Sheriff John Lenhart briefed local mayors on medical marijuana to give inform them of what is coming next year. Kettlersville Mayor Eric Kaminsky wants to make sure Kettlersville is being proactive in preparation for when licenses are issued.

Ohio lawmakers approved a bill in 2016 for a legal medical marijuana program. It was signed into law in June 2016. Licenses will not be issued until 2018. Growing operations within the state are already underway in preparation for the licenses being issued.

Kaminsky said the report Lenhart gave tracked medical marijuana in Colorado, where it was legalized in 2012. Kaminsky cited the report as saying that crime and overdoses are up, and the reach extends all the way down to grade school age children.

Kaminsky said during briefing, Lenhart mentioned local municipalities have the ability, through zoning ordinances, to prevent medical marijuana businesses from coming into their municipality. Kaminsky said there are several communities in the Dayton area which have already taken this step, or are considering taking it, to prevent the businesses from coming.

Currently, Kaminsky is waiting for the county prosecutor to have language for this zoning ordinance to be approved before the council makes a motion to use them. Kaminsky made it clear that these zoning ordinances would not prohibit villagers with medical marijuana licenses from acquiring the marijuana, it would only prevent medical marijuana dispensaries from being in the village.

Kaminsky also made it clear that he did not want the businesses coming into the village, and that he will continue to pursue the language so that it can be approved by the time the licenses are issued in 2018. Kaminsky hopes to have more information, and possibly the language, by the time the council meets again in July.

In other business, the council discussed speeding citations in the village in which Lenhart briefed the council on two citations that were issued by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

The council also discussed village improvements, which include painting parking lots and curbing. Kaminsky was approved to purchase new painting equipment and paint for the parking lots and curbs. The council also discussed potential work days for the village, but no date was set until after the equipment is purchased.

A new flag and flag pole were delivered to the village to be put up, along with a new sign on the council chambers. Miami Valley Lighting also reported to the council that a street light that had been out in the village had been repaired, and the council confirmed that report.

Kaminsky confirmed that a new 35 miles per hour speed limit sign has been ordered. He also confirmed that homeowners in the village that were asked to trim bushes to prevent accidents at the corner of state Route 274 did so.

It was also confirmed that the shingles on the park shelter were replaced, and propane has been refilled.

Kaminsky also reported that Kettlersville gets one liquor license, and the license for Kettlersville is currently open. Kaminsky said there are eight different classes of licenses available, including a class that prevents sales on Sundays.

The city council will meet again on July 11 at the council chambers in Kettlersville.