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Demolition set for Monday |
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Tuesday, 25 November 2008 |
By MIKE BURKHOLDER
Managing Editor
ST. MARYS — A city icon that has stood since the early 1900s is scheduled to be torn down starting Monday.
St. Marys Safety-Service Director Tom Hitchcock told city councilors demolition crews are slated to begin tearing down the Cotton Mill next week. During the process, the parking lot behind The Evening Leader and the alley will be closed to traffic.
“High Street will be closed for what is needed,” Hitchcock told The Evening Leader, noting closures would be similar to when Spring Street was closed for the demolition of the Glass Block building. “I assumed (the alley) will be closed for three to four weeks.”
Councilors passed on emergency an ordinance that included $1.04 million in appropriations. Of that amount, $1.02 million was earmarked for the electric light fund.
“All that is purchased power,” Hitchcock said. “We’ve had a lot more usage than in years past.”
Hitchcock said while he was unable to pin point the reason for the usage spike, he deemed it a positive for the city. An increased electric load means more activity in the city, Hitchcock said.
“It’s probably a combination of usage and rates being higher,” Hitchcock said. “It’s not a bad thing and it’s mostly industrial users.”
Councilors also approved the first reading of an ordinance rezoning a parcel of land that will be the site of the new school building. The measure, approved by members of the planning commission, would zone the school site R-3 residential and the U.S. 33 right-of-way as I-1 industrial.
“That would provide a buffer,” Hitchcock said of the industrial zoning of the right-of-way.
Councilors also OK’d an ordinance regarding negotiations with the union that represents the St. Marys Police Department Dispatchers. Hitchcock said the agreement goes into effect in January.
Councilors also set a finance committee meeting for 5:15 p.m. Monday to discuss the 2009 budget. If approved, the measure will be forwarded to members of city council.
The next meeting of the St. Marys City Council is scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 8 at the city building located along East Spring Street. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 01 December 2008 )
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