Wintersville Village Council discusses paving, pandemic’s impact
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WINTERSVILLE -- Ongoing paving projects and issues related to the coronavirus pandemic were among items before Wintersville Council last week.
Village Administrator Walter Ziemba reported that crews with National Lime and Stone of Cadiz, formerly Lash Paving, will be paving Main Street from Kroger to Wendy's and replacing adjacent sidewalks beginning July 6.
Plans call for the crews to work on the sidewalks by day and the paving from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Thursday through Sunday.
The work is being funded by the state Department of Transportation because the street is part of state Route 43, and is expected to be completed in early August.
Ziemba said with the Knolls waterline project completed, paving on Orchard Place and Orchard, Locust and Walnut streets is slated to begin.
He said the release of state funding for pavement of Fernwood Road and Luray Drive has been delayed, due in part to financial concerns spurred by the pandemic. But he's hopeful it will occur soon so the project can be awarded in July.
Ziemba also noted paving of Meadowbrook, Squirrel Hill and the cul de sac on Grandview is done.
He and other officials discussed various ways the coronavirus has affected the village.
The state Environmental Protection Agency had permitted the village to waive penalties for non-payment by water customers in March, as many businesses were ordered closed by Gov. Mike DeWine.
But council learned the agency has rescinded that order, effective July 10, and warnings of shut-offs will be sent to customers who haven't paid their bills.
Mayor Bob Gale said there are at least 40 delinquent customers, some dating before the governor's order.
In related business, Gale said revenue to the village hasn't been as deeply impacted by the pandemic as expected, partly because local businesses included grocery stores, fast-food restaurants and others that remained active through the shelter-in-place order.
He said lost revenue also was offset by the collection of about $35,000 in delinquent taxes from past years collected through the Regional Income Tax Agency.
Ziemba also announced with the village's parks reopening, signs will be posted advising visitors to use them at their own risk, practice social distancing and sanitize playground equipment before and using them.
Gale said the village lacks staff to regularly clean the equipment and for this reason, water fountains and restrooms have been closed.
Also, Councilman Randy Spence suggested offering additional vacation time at this time to the village's police officers, noting through the pandemic, they have worked their usual hours and put themselves at risk while responding to calls in homes not knowing if they may be exposed to COVID-19.
Gale said it's something the village's finance committee could consider.
Council, which had been meeting through telephone conferences, gathered in council chambers, with plastic shields placed between each other in an effort to prevent spread of the coronavirus.
A shield also was posted at the podium reserved for visitors addressing council.
Gale said residents will be able to attend council's future meetings but will be encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing.
In recent months, council has reduced the number of its meetings and on Thursday it agreed to move its next meeting to 7 p.m. July 16 instead of meeting on the first Thursday of the month.
Also on Thursday:
¯ Ziemba advised the interest rate for the state loan secured for an upcoming $2.1 million sewer project will be 0.76 percent, less than the 1 percent anticipated.
But he and Gale said it will require a 4.5 percent per year increase in the village's sewer rates for the next five years.
The project will include the replacement of sewer lines along Moon Valley, Rex and Russell avenues, East Church Street, Two Acre Drive and the former Riesbeck's store and two lift stations at Ekey Street and Squirrel Hill Road.
¯ Ziemba said the village will purchase 1,200 tons of road salt for next winter at a cost of $65.99 per ton, down from last year's price of $95.64 per ton. He said by buying it in bulk, the village saves about $35,000.
¯ Councilwoman Gail Dameron asked about the cause of sewer gas smelled by her and other business owners along Main Street earlier this week.
Ziemba said such odor isn't unusual during high heat and humidity but measures were being taken to address it.
Following the meeting, Gale said he believes the odor emanated from a pump station in the Moon Valley area, adding crews applied additional the appropriate chemicals to address the problem.
(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)