Butler project chosen for grant

FORT RECOVERY — The village has selected a new potential project if it is awarded another grant.

Fort Recovery is applying for a $500,000 grant through the Small Government Program offered by Ohio Public Works Commission. Fort Recovery Village Council decided Monday to use the money, if selected, for total reconstruction of Butler Street from Fort Site Street to Main Street.

The project would cost an estimated $1.5 million and include repaving as well as replacing the street’s traffic signal, street lights, curbs, sidewalks and water line. Village administrator Randy Diller explained the program also allows applicants to apply for a 0% interest rate loan.

According to fiscal officer Roberta Staugler, the village also has about $2.3 million in unappropriated dollars in its general fund. Diller explained Fort Recovery started saving back some funding after the coronavirus pandemic hit the community.

“We have been very conservative in our approach … we were worried about some of the after effects of that affecting our employment and other things, so we have been building our general fund the last few years,” he said. “We’re sitting in a position we’ve never sat in before, and as you can see, we’re going to start spending it too, but we have some money there.”

As alternatives, Diller also suggested two other Butler Street projects: reconstructing Butler Street from George Street to the village’s west corporation limit for about $1 million or replacing the water line on Butler Street from Fort Site Street to Williams Street for about $744,000.

Council member Scott Pearson asked about the village’s wastewater plant, with Diller responding that options are still being considered. 

Poggemeyer Design Group conducted a wastewater study for the village and shared its results with council last year. Its suggested plan for wastewater treatment presented a few options, including the construction of a mechanical wastewater treatment plant.

Kainos Ag has been treating the wastewater lagoons since September. Although it has yet to prove sludge reduction — per the contract, the company is paid per inch of sludge removed — Diller noted the lack of strong odors. He added that the lagoons have not been treated with Kainos Ag’s product for a few weeks in order for the officials to see what changes occur, especially in relation to smell. Plans are to meet with Melvin Stein of Kainos Ag soon to come up with a plan moving forward.

Council also approved a $82,950 engineering agreement with Choice One Engineering for its water tower project.

The village is planning to construct a 205,000-gallon elevated tower similar to the existing tower along the southeastern side of the village on Industrial Drive, which was installed in 2001. In June, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced the village would receive a $1.25 million grant from the Ohio BUILDS water infrastructure program for a second water tower. 

 Fort Recovery’s daily water consumption has increased in the last five years, proving a need for a second water tower. The village will contribute about $400,000 toward the $1.65 million project, which includes the cost to install an additional 2,600 feet of 12-inch water line to create a loop, helping with water flow.

Diller noted the village has been OK’d to build the tower on a portion of J. & M. Manufacturing’s property at 284 Railroad St. He also suggested the village could consider a spot on Ohio 49 near the Cooper Farms facility, but noted he has not spoken with the company yet. (Officials are looking into placing the water tower on the north side of town because of the higher elevation, meaning it will not need to be as tall as the existing tower.)

Plans should be completed by the end of the year.

Also Monday, police chief Jared Laux noted problems with stray cats in the village. Council debated looking into an ordinance related to the matter, with Diller voicing opposition, pointing out the most they could do would be to prevent residents from feeding strays. (Currently, village residents may trap, spay or neuter and release feral cats back into the village.)

They discussed looking into ordinances set by other municipalities but took no formal action Monday.

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

•Approved an encroachment easement for the house 502 S. Wayne St. (A portion of the structure — it has been there for years — sits on the street’s right-of-way. The easement allows the house to stay in place.)

•Canceled council’s Sept. 4 meeting, which falls on Labor Day.