POMEROY — The signs for free customer parking spaces on the Pomeroy parking lot will be going up later this week, Dan Short, president of the Pomeroy Merchants Association reported at Tuesday’s meeting held at Farmers Bank.

Prepared by Bobbie Karr, the signs will be erected at three parking spaces in the end areas of the lower and upper lots with four spaces in the middle section. There will be strict enforcement of the “customer only” use of the area, it was noted. Pomeroy Village Council approved the free customer parking spaces as a way of encourage in-town shopping.

Discussed at the meeting was the disappearance of the Baby Jesus from the Trinity Church nativity scene on the stage area following the Christmas holiday. The nativity belongs to Trinity Church but this year was not going to be erected due to a lack of volunteers to put it up, according to the pastor. Representatives of the Merchants Association volunteered to put it erect it so that the remaining location for Christmas scenes in downtown Pomeroy would be filled. In view of the Association’s participation, it was voted to buy a replacement Baby Jesus for the church.

Ways of promoting shopping by having special children’s activities on the parking lot were discussed, along with some additional funding for the annual Easter egg hunt on the old football field. Suggestions included a ice slide on the parking lot at Christmas time, and a trunk trick or treat event at Halloweeen.

An emphasis would be on having adequate supervision of the children so that the parents could shop while the children played. It was also suggested that there be a gift basket promotion by the merchants for Mothers Day. A presence on Facebook was also proposed.