FR council looks at plans for 2018

FORT RECOVERY — As 2017 comes to a close, it’s time to look at potential spending for next year.

Fort Recovery village administrator Randy Diller on Monday presented council with a 2018 budgetary plan, which includes equipment and upcoming projects, seeking its feedback.

Equipment replacements in the budget included a new street sweeper and a new police car to replace the 10-year-old one being used now. Several smaller equipment and technology replacements were also included within the plan.

The village is also looking at meters and sampler equipment for wastewater lagoons to meet recommendations from the Environmental Protection Agency.

The water plant is in need of a pump that will be able to pump clean water from the sludge pond back into the settling tanks and into the sanitary system. Also on the list of potential purchases is a utility locator that will be able to find underground utilities to prevent hitting any pipes when digging during construction and maintenance projects. Another project included in the plan for 2018 is redoing manholes during the summer to keep snow plows from hitting them.

The crack seal program will continue into the year in an effort to fix roads that the village was unable to get to this past year.

Projects being carried over into 2018 include the reconstruction project of William Street, which funds are already appropriated for, and the Ohio 49 reroute development that has been discussed over the last few months. Village council also heard about the purchase of properties to set the reroute plan in motion.

It would take Ohio 49 further north along Elm Street and then west on Broadway Street instead of the current route that uses Broadway and Wayne streets through the downtown area, eliminating the sharp turns that are often difficult for truck drivers.

It is expected to be ready for approval the first of the year.

Other items included in the budgetary plan are small maintenance projects, including valve replacements and catwalks that need to be repainted at the water plant.

The village also plans to plant more trees next fall in addition to the 51 already planted this year to replace trees cut down during construction projects over the past few years.

In other business, council members Dave Garman, Scott Pearson, Dave Bretz, Erik Fiely, Cliff Wendel and Al Post:

•Approved the transfer of $7,000 from the sewer user fee fund to the reserve fund, $53,107 from the general fund to the William Street fund and $276,773.50 from the general fund to the village share projects fund.

•Heard from village solicitor Erin Minor that the village should hear back about a request for funds from the Cooper Family Foundation in the next few weeks. The village requested a donation of $20,000 to go toward redoing the fence around Ambassador Pool

•Discussed the golf cart raffle for the pavilion project. The village is raffling off a brand new golf cart to help raise money for a three season shelter house at Ambassador Park, which is set to start construction in mid-summer 2018. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at village hall.