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Local News

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Village to seek grant for Vance Street project

Findlay Inn & Conference Center -Downtown Findlay
By JIM MAURER

Staff Writer

CAREY — Carey Council gave a second reading Monday to an ordinance allowing Village Administrator Roy Johnson to apply for a state grant to help pay for the Vance Street improvement project.

The grant, available from the Ohio Department of Transportation through the federal government's Roadside Enhancement Program, would pay for 80 percent of the estimated $1.2 million project. The village's share would be about $240,000.

The improvements would include burying some utility lines, and installing new sidewalks, benches, trash receptacles and street lights. It would be the second phase of the downtown improvement project.

It's likely that when bids are sought, the cost may be higher, based on estimates for the first phase of the project on Findlay Street.

Johnson told council the village's estimated share of the Findlay Street improvements have increased about $45,000 and the entire project has increased about $187,000 from $2.73 million to $2.92 million, according to an estimate from CTI Engineers, Uniontown.

The village will pay 20 percent of that project, or about $584,000.

However, the village received a separate $250,000 grant from the state to pay for waterline improvements, which will reduce its overall cost.

The state will seek bids May 15 for the first phase, and that work is scheduled to get under way later this year.

Cost adjustments for electrical, storm sewer, road surfacing and patching, and an irrigation and watering system for hanging planters on the light posts have resulted in the first phase increase, Johnson said.

"Am I the only one who gets the sense these people don't know what they're doing?" said Councilman Tony Wenzinger. "Every time they come back with a higher price."

He said he was not happy someone from the engineering firm did not attend the council meeting to present the information in person.

Separately, Johnson will meet today with personnel from Jester, Jones and Schifer, a Marion architecture firm, to review plans for a new Public Works Department building. Cost estimates continue to rise for this building, too.

The 40-foot by 72-foot building is now estimated at $90,000. Last year the estimate was $47,000.

The project has not been bid yet because of the higher price, Johnson said. He hopes to get the final estimate between $40,000 and $50,000 before seeking bids.

Separately, Fire Chief Jay Gretzinger has been training six members of the Public Works Department to assist at fire scenes. Each person requires four hours of training. One electric department employee also will be trained.

Gretzinger requested the assistance because the department is short-handed during daytime hours, when many volunteer firefighters work outside the village.

It will cost about $6,000 additional per year to insure the additional workers, Johnson said.

Contact Staff Writer Jim Maurer at:

419-427-8420

Send an e-mail to Jim Maurer
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News Briefs Health official to give lecture
Terry Carson, a visiting executive at the University of Findlay, will give a public lecture on health care at noon Monday at Winebrenner Theological Seminary.

Carson will speak on, “Health Care: Where Are We and Where Are We Going?”

Carson is chief executive officer of a 25-bed critical access facility, Harrison Community Hospital in Cadiz, Ohio, a position he has held for 18 years. Before that he was administrator of Hialeah Hospital in Hialeah, Fla., Johnston Memorial Hospital in Smithfield, N.C., Colleton Regional Hospital in Walterboro, S.C., and chief accountant of Suburban Community Hospital in Warrensville Heights, Ohio.

Carson is a graduate of the University of Findlay with a bachelor's degree in accounting. He completed graduate studies at Wheeling Jesuit University and the University of Miami.

H1N1 flu vaccine offered in Carey
CAREY -- The Wyandot County Health Department will be administering H1N1 flu vaccine in the Laird Room at Carey School from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Vaccine will be available to health care providers, pregnant women, children 6 months to 24 years, caregivers of children under the age of 6 months, and people age 25 to 64 with a chronic medical condition.

The vaccine is being provided on a first-come, first-served basis and is free of charge.

For more details call the health department at 419-294-3852.

Democratic Party meeting Monday
The Hancock County Democratic Party will hold its last 2009 general meeting at 7 p.m. Monday in Findlay City Council chambers in the Municipal Building.

Members will name a temporary successor to Jim Smith, a Hancock County Board of Elections member who will retire at the end of the year.

An election to fill the post for a full term will be held at the Feb. 8, 2010 general meeting. Democrats interested in the post should attend that meeting.

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Van Buren -- Van Buren Village Council's regular meeting has been rescheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Community Room at Van Buren High School.

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Animals getting ready for winter will be discussed at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Nov. 16 during the Hancock Park District's Wee Ones in the Parks program.

The same program will be offered at each time in the Discovery Center at Oakwoods Nature Preserve.

The program will include a story, activities and a craft.

The event is for toddlers 3 years old and under, accompanied by an adult.

For more information, call the park district office, 419-425-7275.