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Village Could Receive Stimulus Funds PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 02 March 2010 11:56
Despite losing funding for a previous project, the Village of Enon may have another chance to receive assistance through stimulus funds. On Feb. 23 Jason Rose announced that four more village projects may qualify for zero percent interest loans through the Ohio EPA.

The first project is a water supply improvement project for a new well, which could apply to Well #5.  This project is ranked 106th on the list of projects waiting approval.  Of the four village projects, this is the one that stands the best chance of approval.

The next project includes the painting of the interior of the Houck Meadow water storage tank and is ranked 387th.  

The water meter change out project, which was the project for which the village was originally awarded funding and then had it stripped away, is ranked at 808th.  They have asked for $200,000 to complete this project.

“The chances of being awarded funding for that project are slim to none,” said Rose.

The last village project awaiting approval is the replacement of the water department vehicle, which is ranked 912th.

The stimulus funding this time around would come 100 percent from loan funding. No grant funds are available.

“I feel the Water Committee should review this to see if they want to spend that kind of money or if there’s another project that is more important,” Rose added.

Council members gave Rose permission to file the necessary forms to inform the EPA of the village’s interest.  This does not commit them to apply for the funds if they decide they cannot follow through with the project.

Police updates

Police Chief Troy Callahan reported that the local shed break-ins have been solved.  A suspect was arrested and has been convicted.  He faces five years in prison.  As part of his plea agreement, the man came back to Enon and showed law enforcement officers which sheds he broke into.

Callahan also reported that the village police are working with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the recent home burglaries occurring in Mad River Township.  They have learned that the suspects have been breaking into some houses more than once.

“One house has been broken into three times and a second house has been broken into twice in the last six months,” said Callahan.

The signs posted throughout the township and village offering a reward of $2,500 for information were made by a private citizen who was a victim of these burglaries.  The reward money is being offered out of his own pocket and will not come from village funds.

In other police business, the Enon Police Department has started a youth program in partnership with the Boy Scouts of America.  The Young Explorers held their first official meeting last Monday with six participants in attendance.  

“This program gets kids involved in law enforcement to see if it’s something they might be interested in,” said Callahan. He explained that the kids are covered by insurance through the Boy Scouts program.  As part of the Young Explorers, participants can go riding and shooting with officers.

No parking zone

Prior to the regular session of council, a public hearing was held regarding the parking on South Pleasant St.  After hearing no public comments, council passed ordinance 10-06 designating a “No Parking” zone beginning on the west side at the southwest corner of East Main St. and extending along the same side of South Pleasant St. for a distance of 35 feet.  The area will be marked with ODOT specified signage.  

Chief Callahan received a complaint regarding the on-street parking on South Pleasant St. by the owners of Bumpy’s Place.  After investigating the situation, the village found that parking at this corner alongside the business could under certain circumstances pose a pedestrian and traffic safety concern.  This “No Parking” zone is an effort to solve the problem.

Fire hydrants

Rose reported that repairing and retrofitting the older fire hydrants in the village will now cost roughly twice as much.  The company who manufactures these hydrants changed their design in 2006.  While the original casings from the hydrants were originally installed in 1958, the village was able to purchase parts to rebuild the inside elements.  

The cost the retrofit those hydrants used to be about $250.  Those older parts are no longer available, so the village will not have to pay $600 to retrofit each hydrant.  There are 240 hydrants in the village and six to eight require this type of maintenance each year.  The average annual cost to the village was about $1,400 but will now cost an estimated $4,000 - $5,000 in 2010.

Alley closure

The contractor for the Knob Prairie Church expansion and renovation, Wenco, Inc., requested for a temporary closure of the alley running north/south along the west side of the existing church.  This closure would be for a period of approximately six months beginning Feb. 12.  Wenco, Inc. will provide access to the rear for Ohio Bell and any emergency traffic.  Council passed a motion approving the closure.

Public records

Mayor Cliff Vernon reported that the Enon Records Commission met Feb. 11 to review the Public Record Policy for the village.  While researching the policies of other communities the mayor suggested that Enon consider the possibility of giving those who make public records requests the information on CDs if it is a digital file.  Rose stated that the village copier is capable of scanning so digital copies could be made of documents.  The Public Records Ordinance would need to be amended to include a cost for the CDs.

Upcoming meetings

The Public Service Committee will meet at 7 p.m. March 11 to start reviewing the employee handbook.  The Finance Committee will not meet until April when they can review the financial report for the first quarter of 2010.
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