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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
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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.

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

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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.