RSS | Comments | Tell a Friend | Larger Text | Smaller Text | Bookmark and Share

Local News

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Village to seek grant for Vance Street project

Millstream
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

Comment on This Story
NOTE: Comment moderation has been enabled. If you see a comment that violates our Electronic User Agreement, please e-mail rebeccaconklin@thecourier.com. Thank you. If you are having problems viewing this Web page, please contact our Internet Department to help us diagnose and correct the problem. We may contact you for more information. Thanks in advance.
Your e-mail address will not be displayed on this website or shared with anyone. It is used by our online editor for contacting purposes.
Comments are moderated by The Courier according to its Electronic User Agreement within one business day. Comments that slander others or include language that violates the agreement will be rejected. All comments that impart opinion and information are welcome.
   SPECIAL SECTIONS
Progress

PROGRESS: A current look at the business, industry and people of our communities.

   STAY IN TOUCH
The Courier on Facebook

   PHOTO GALLERY
Randy's Seen

IMAGE BLOG: Go behind the scenes with Courier photographer Randy Roberts.


You can purchase photographs from The Courier through our easy-to-use online system. Get prints, mousepads, T-shirts and more!

  LATEST COMMENTS Last 10 comments submitted by our readers...
Amanda Hyde's scoring in the State Champtionship Game
“ This paper and web site has done a great job all year for those of us who live outside of your town. I Live in Lancaster, Ohi... ” Read More...
City police to silence radio traffic
“ I'm confused with budget cuts to include officers being laid off and a loss of federal funds all of a sudden this is happening?... ” Read More...
Jason wrote in article "Longtime sheriff's officer retires":
Congrats Uncle Gary
“ I just want to wish good luck and congrats to my uncle Gary. I'm sorry that I missed the party, I heard that everyone had a grea... ” Read More...
Doug W wrote in article "What if health bill passes?":
FREE???
“ Barry your about to get a wake-up call from reality if this bill passes. Nothing is FREE, never has been, nor is it ever going t... ” Read More...
Police Radios
“ My mom is a Police Officer, not in this city though, but I know that having open radio has helped her and her fellow officers on... ” Read More...
Hank Rafferty wrote in article "City police to silence radio traffic":
True reason for encryption
“ This is an excerpt from a conversation overheard on my scanner last week. I am changing the last name of the subject involved t... ” Read More...
Resitance is Futile
“ Chances are it will be voice inversion, rolling code is too expensive, inversion is cracked with ease ” Read More...
RC wrote in article "What if health bill passes?":
Health care
“ Free healthcare implies it was growing on a tree somewhere and fell into your lap. Somebody is going to pay for your healthcare.... ” Read More...
Courthouse Security and Space study
“ I read your article regarding the study to be done by NCSC. Until last August I directed security operations for the Lucas Count... ” Read More...
Barry wrote in article "What if health bill passes?":
Rebuttle
“ (1)What part of health NOT FOR PROFIT don't you get? You say NO like a party-line Republican. Americans say "YES".
(2) Now that...
” Read More...
  U.S. Headlines
  World News
  Ohio News
Homebuilders
News Briefs Preschool screening scheduled Friday
The Hancock County Educational Service Center will conduct a preschool screening on Friday for preschool students in the Arcadia, Arlington, Cory-Rawson, Liberty-Benton, McComb, Van Buren and Vanlue districts.

The screening is for children ages 3 through 5 for whom there may be developmental concerns in the areas of gross or fine motor skills, speech/language or school readiness.

A vision and hearing screening will also be offered.

Pre-registration is required by calling Dana Helfrich at 419-422-7525, ext. 209, by Tuesday.


Elections board: Hermiller picked
OTTAWA -- Greg Hermiller is waiting for state approval of his appointment to the Putnam County Board of Elections, according to the Putnam County Sentinel.

Hermiller was selected last week to fill a board vacancy after Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner rejected the earlier appointment of Tom Jerwers to the board.

Brunner said Jerwers has been referred to the state Elections Commission twice in recent months for failure to file required campaign finance reports. Jerwers is treasurer of the Putnam County Republican Party.


Sausage orders being accepted
Orders for whole hog sausage are being accepted at GreaterFindlayInc., 123 E. Main Cross St., through Thursday.

Three-pound packages are available for $6 each, either seasoned with salt and pepper or unseasoned.

The agency's Agri-Business Committee is sponsoring the sale to fund student scholarships for agriculture-related studies.

Orders will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the entrance of the WFIN/WKXA Leisure Living Home Show at the Cube, 3430 N. Main St.

Forms are available at the GreaterFindlayInc. office and checks should be payable to the agency.

For more information, call 419-422-3313.