Fort Recovery considering new sidewalk

FORT RECOVERY –– The village is looking into a new pedestrian walkway.

Fort Recovery village administrator Randy Diller shared with village council Monday he has been working with Choice One Engineering of Sidney, Ohio, on potential sidewalk plans along Sharpsburg Road and Ohio 49.

“This would allow us to get something out there now that would be useable and safer than what we’ve got,” Diller explained.

The sidewalk, which mayor Dave Kaup suggested at a previous meeting, would extend to businesses such as Dollar Tree and Ace Hardware on Ohio 49 on the south side of the village. It would also run along Sharpsburg Road, across the street from Fort Recovery Elementary/Middle School.

Current plans do not include a crosswalk for pedestrians to cross the road from Spy Run to the school. Diller said that process would likely be a combination project between the village and Fort Recovery Local Schools.

Village council heard Choice One has also started topographic and preliminary design work on Butler Street (Ohio 119). Once completed, Diller said, the village will submit plans to Ohio Department of Transportation in the stage one process of the street reconstruction through town limits.

In October, village council agreed to contribute $133,650 for the preliminary designs. ODOT also approved Fort Recovery for a $1.03 million grant for the project earlier this year.

The full project estimated to begin by 2025 will cost about $3 million. Plans are to construct a new water line, sidewalks, curbs and road, and replace the traffic light at Wayne Street.

Also Monday, council learned the village will host a public meeting Nov. 15 for property owners along Broadway and Elm streets.

The village is in discussion with ODOT to consider the reconstructed streets as the new Ohio 49 route. (The highway currently goes through Fort Recovery’s downtown area on Wayne Street.)

In other business, village council members Greg Schmitz, Scott Pearson, Luke Knapke, Al Post, Cliff Wendel and Erik Fiely:

•Were reminded Schmitz, Knapke, Wendel and Fiely are running uncontested in today’s election. Two levies –– a $2.3 million general operating levy and a $2.5 million street improvement levy –– are also up for renewal for five-year terms.

•Heard the village has not yet heard back on a potential $1.25 million grant through the Ohio Department of Development for construction of a second water tower. (Diller noted other nearby areas have received word back from the state recently.)

•Transferred $35,000 from the general fund to the street construction, maintenance and repair fund.

•Approved the employee wage ordinance on its first reading. The village currently has 10 full-time employees and one part-time employee.

•Reappointed Erin Abels as village solicitor on a first reading of her two-year contract.