Fort Recovery awarded grants

FORT RECOVERY — State funding is pouring into the village.

Fort Recovery Village Council heard about two grants awarded to the village as well as funding allotted to Fort Recovery Morvilius Opera House during its meeting Monday.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed the capital budget bill into law June 28, ensuring three local projects will be funded. The budget includes a $600,000 contribution toward constructing Fort Recovery’s new water tower, a $500,000 contribution toward renovations at the opera house and a $450,000 contribution toward renovations at Ambassador Pool.

Village administrator Randy Diller noted his surprise when he learned funding for the pool project made it into the bill proposed in the Ohio General Assembly and signed by DeWine last week.

“We did get both grants,” he said. “I wasn’t counting on that, because they asked me to make a choice of which one had the higher priority.”

Items on the wish list for renovation work at the pool include replacing the stainless-steel recirculation system, installing a pool liner, if structurally sound — it has a horizontal crack that was professionally sealed years ago — adding a zero-entry sloping entrance, rehabbing the wading pool, filter building and pool house, adding a splash pad, replacing the pool heater and adding other amenities, such as slides or games.

Ambassador Pool is approximately 40 years old, Diller pointed out. He noted professionals in the field have advocated for installing a stainless steel liner, which would be longer-lasting than a fiberglass or vinyl liner.

In total, items on the wish list could cost nearly $1 million. Diller shared plans to pursue additional grants, totaling about $500,000, in the fall. The $450,000 award from the state will be available for the village to use throughout the two-year budget cycle.

Diller also noted the village will likely form a committee specifically dedicated to overseeing pool improvements. (It would report back to Fort Recovery Park Board.) He asked community members interested in joining the board to contact him.

The water tower project has been in the works for more than a year. Fort Recovery received a $1.25 million grant in June 2023 from the Ohio BUILDS water infrastructure program to build a new water tower, and the village planned to contribute about $450,000 from its own water tower improvement and water capital funds for the project. 

Bids earlier this year came in higher than expected, with the village selecting Caldwell Tanks’ low bid of $2.44 million. The $600,000 state funding allocation — it comes from the One-Time Strategic Community Investment Fund — should help alleviate most of the unexpected increase, with the village contributing the remaining amount.

The new 250,000-gallon elevated tower is planned for the north side of the village. It will include an additional 2,600 feet of water line to connect it to the village’s distribution system. Work on the project could begin later this summer.

Fort Recovery Morvilius Opera House also received $500,000 from the state capital budget for renovations. 

Local residents have been working on plans to restore the 1883 facility for more than three years. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2022, the building will undergo construction work in the coming weeks on its annex. A groundbreaking ceremony is slated for 9 a.m. July 12. 

Also Monday, council approved a $74,870 contract with Shinn Bros of Celina for improving safety measures for pedestrians at the intersection of Elm and Center streets. The work — it involves installing flashing beacons and enhancing crosswalks — will be split between the village and Fort Recovery Local Schools. 

The project was originally discussed as a part of Fort Recovery’s School Transportation Plan, which identifies construction projects and new programs aimed at increasing safe pedestrian and bike travel to school.

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

•Made amendments to the village’s tax ordinance to comply with Ohio House Bill 33, specifically noting the penalty for failing to file municipal income tax returns is now a one-time fee of $25.

•OK’d a $54,127.50 pay request from PAB Construction of Coldwater, Ohio, for reconstruction of Gwendolyn and Wiggs streets. The project has been completed.

•Were reminded Fort Recovery’s National Night Out at Ambassador Pool is slated for 5 to 8 p.m. July 21.

•Appointed Shawn Thobe to Fort Recovery Zoning Board.

•Discussed purchasing a new vehicle for Fort Recovery Police Department. Mayor Dave Kaup asked police chief Jared Laux to look into prices for a Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Tahoe and truck.