FR annexation nearly complete

FORT RECOVERY — In 30 days, the village will expand. And, if all goes as planned, it will do so at least twice more this year.

Fort Recovery Village Council on Monday gave its final approval to one annexation while discussing the progress toward two others.

It also discussed proposed water and sewer rate increases and reviewed plans to purchase new stun guns and computers for the police department.

Council members Erik Fiely, Dave Bretz, Dave Garman, Al Post, Cliff Wendel and Scott Pearson gave their final approving for accepting 8.732 acres of land along the south side of Sharpsburg Road to be annexed into the village. The annexation will become official in 30 days.

The area is the site of a planned housing subdivision.

Village solicitor Erin Minor also told council that it is slated to vote on an additional annexation, for land along Ohio 49 on the south side of the village, at its March 6 meeting.

Mercer County Commissioners were expected to review a third annexation, property along First Street near Wabash Road, today. If approved by the county, there would be a 60-day waiting period before the village council could take action.

Council members approved a $14,950 agreement with Choice One of Portland for engineering work to extend water lines for the First Street annexation.

Village administrator Randy Diller added that an additional property owner who lives just to the east of Fort Recovery on Fort Recovery-Minster Road, has also requested to have property annexed.

Diller also revisited the proposed utility rate increases he had presented to the board at its Jan. 16 meeting. He suggested increasing the rates gradually, with water to go to $21 per month from the current $17.50 and sewer to $9 from the current $7.50. In both cases, increases would begin this year and continue until 2021. Rates are based on the first $2,000 gallons of water.

Rates have been frozen since 2010, and Diller noted that there is a need to bump them up in order to keep up with expenses.

“It looks like it gets it closer to where it needs to be to cover costs,” said Fiely.

Suggested changes include increases to the shut off/turn on fee, utility deposits and tap fees as well. The plan also includes the addition of a minimum fee for bulk water.

“Our goal is still the same,” said Diller. “First and foremost we want to produce safe, quality water. Secondly, we want that plant to last us as long as we can.”

Police Chief Jared Laux visited council to seek guidance on the purchase of new stun guns. After reviewing several options, council advised Laux to purchase two new stun guns at a cost of $3,218, which includes a four-year warranty. They will replaced two devices that are no longer in working order.

Council also approved an additional appropriation of $6,000 for new computers and a new server for the police department.

In other business, council:

•Heard from Diller that lagoon improvements at the wastewater treatment plant are expected to be complete by the end of April.

•Learned Laux plans to have a new golf cart ordinance ready for council’s next meeting. The rules need to be changed to be in compliance with state law.

•Advanced $15,883 to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Grant Fund from the general fund to allow payment of bills. The general fund will be reimbursed when the grant comes through. That money, along with a $20,000 Cooper Family Foundation grant is going toward a $40,000 playground project at Community Park.

Also approved the transfer of $21,500 to the village share projects fund from the general fund for equipment at Community Park.

•Learned from Diller that new plans for improvements to Williams Street call for 30-foot-wide roadway, which will allow most of the existing trees to stay in place. Original plans called for a 41-foot-wide roadway.

•Heard from Minor that trash cans have been purchased for the Community Park recreational trail. She and Diller will be meeting with Display Craft, Portland, to discuss signs for the trail.