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 Staff photo/Katie Yantis: A truck dumps dirt along the Miami and Erie Canal towpath where it crosses Ohio 66. The project will make it easier for those using the towpath to cross Ohio 66.
By KATIE YANTIS
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — Hiker, bikers and walkers in the region will notice a
difference in a few sections of the Miami and Erie Canal towpath trail
starting this week.
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Minster OKs appropriations |
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Wednesday, 07 February 2007 |
By MARY BARGDILL
Staff Writer
MINSTER — The topic that ruled Tuesday evening’s Minster Village Council meeting was the 2007 Appropriations. Ordinance 07-02-01 was declared an emergency and passed, as council approved $21,320,922.41 for the 2007 Appropriations. The amount is $3.4 million more than last year’s.
John Stechschulte read the items in the 2007 appropriations.
For the wastewater treatment plant, $1.1 million to increase flow. It was recommended four or five years ago that the plant would need updated.
To loop the electrical system of the three substations in the village will cost $ 1.3 million.
For the Electrical Department, the village would buy $6 million worth of electricity per year, and sell a little over $6 million.
The general fund consists of $4,141,906, or 20 percent of the budget. This consists of the police department, fire department, recreational department, and the public works department.
Stechschulte noted that this figure it up $225,000 from last year, mainly because of the purchase of a new fire truck. Also, the purchase of a new computer system for police cars cost $40,500.
"At $21 million it is up a little, but it is for good reason," Stechschulte said.
The main reasons appropriations are so high are because of the wastewater treatment plant, the new fire truck, and the electrical transmission line.
In capital major items, the total was $8 million, for all the departments combined.
In the police department, $40,500 went towards the new car computer system. There was also the purchase of portable radios at a cost of $1,800, an upgrade in firearms at $10,000, and $56,000 for tasers.
For the fire department, the budget for the new fire truck was $375,000. Jackson Township paid for one third the cost of the truck, and the village paid for two-thirds.
The deferment on the spring commercial lease is up. This is the property adjacent to the north side of the fire department.
In the Public Works Department, funds went toward the cost of village entrance signs.
The Safe Highway Fund is up to $50,000.
"It’s the perfect opportunity to use the fund for state routes 66 and 119," said Stechschulte.
Regarding the Parks and Recreations Department, the Utilities Building located on North Ohio Street might be utilized for office space.
Some money was also set aside for future Christmas decorations if needed.
In the Mayors’ Court Computer Fund, the cost is $3,600.
On Hanover Street from Second Street to Seventh Street, bids have come in. Chuck Samples will handle the project.
For Sanitary and Sewer, approximately $25,000 was set aside to make repairs in case there is a break in a pipe.
For clean up of a section of the canal, approximately one block, cost will be $140,000. Ohio Department of Natural Resources will help offset the cost.
The village will apply for an EPA grant for the clean up.
For development of Industrial Park, cost is $335,000, anticipating completion in 2007.
In Capital Improvement Funds, the Hanover Street Project is the main undertaking, consuming 60 percent of income tax. The funds also finance various projects.
In the Water Department, funds will go towards the automatic meter reading system which are hand held (remote) computers for reading meters. Funds will also purchase a generator. The one electrical generator is not capable of running all the wells; it can only run one well. According to Harrod, the village will need new electrical generators to be able to put out a large fire.
For the Electrical Department, funds will go towards a new digger truck. The old digger truck has 3,000 hours on it. Council is looking at the possibility of buying a new digger truck. Parkway subdivision, replacing lights, south of First Street. Hanover Street Project, and the traffic light at Ohio 119 and 66. Council is looking at the possibility of developing a well at the Luedeke Farm. Cost is $50,00 for a well field line.
Funds were also set aside for the swimming pool, changes and growth at Dannon Yogurt, and transformer replacement projects.
Estimated Income Tax Receipts for 2007 are $2.2 million.
"Hopefully that’s a conservative figure," said Stechschulte.
For the water plant, there was a $2.8 million fund. The village had a five-year loan, and is scheduled to pay it off in 2010. Of that amount, $300,000 is being transferred from general fund into the water treatment fund.
"Water plant revenue is up, but expenses are up too," explained Stechschulte. "We need to monitor water expenses fairly closely."
He also noted the unanticipated expense of the wastewater treatment plant, and they would have to run budgetary figures through CDM, the engineering firm employed to work on the wastewater plant. Cost will be between $5 million and $6 million to upgrade the facility.
Council President Rick Schwartz suggested council put some projects, such as purchase of the digger truck and canal clean up, on hold while the village deals with the cost of the wastewater treatment.
Council member Steve Kitzmiller wanted to know how the Dannon Yogurt Plant would affect the village’s electrical, water, and wastewater supply.
Harrod responded that as far as electricity and water, the effect was positive, but with wastewater, the effect would be negative. He added that there was a need to increase efficiency to the Dannon Yogurt Plant.
The wastewater treatment plant can only handle 1,025,00 gallons of wastewater.
Harrod mentioned a concern that the EPA will tell the village a larger wastewater treatment plant is needed. The last time a major project was undertaken on the wastewater treatment plant was 1989.
Also during the meeting, invoices totaling $699,458.82 were approved.
From The Village Administrator’s Report:
• Formost Construction is finishing work on the pole building. Electrical wiring and flooring will need to be completed by village crews. The Electrical Department has started to work. Soon the state will be contacted for a final inspection.
• Regarding work on the swimming pool, the interior of bathhouse is nearly finished. The concrete floor in the building is being painted. Plumbing fixtures will be installed next. The old piping in the pump pit has been removed. New piping will be installed to prevent the pump from being under water.
• In West Industrial Park: The concrete pipe to be used as a storm sewer has been delivered. The pipe can be laid in the ditch after a manhole has been installed. This project will begin next week, weather permitting.
• Heat from a fire pit in the Four Season’s shelter two caused a section of the vinyl siding ceiling to melt. An insurance claim has been filed. Once the work on the pool bathhouse is complete, repairs will be made to the shelter.
• Premiums for employees’ health insurance coverage will increase for the upcoming year. Original estimates were a 27 percent increase. After discussing rates with the carrier, the increase would be 14 percent. The Village Administrator will continue to look for other options with other agents. Harrod will review these figures with the finance committee before the March 1 renewal date.
The council meeting ended by going into executive session to discuss the hiring of personnel.
Contact Mary at:
nbreporter@
theeveningleader |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 12 February 2007 )
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