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WINTERSVILLE -- Wintersville Council Thursday learned the village has been awarded state funds to pave Cadiz Road next year.
Village Administrator Jesse Kosegi said the village will receive $524,000 from the Ohio Public Works Commission, noting council had allocated $226,000 for the project.
He and other village officials hope to pave its four lanes from the Kroger plaza to Park Drive at the village's west end, repair curbs along it, update the flashing school zone lights near Indian Creek High School and replace catch basins and manholes along the road, which is nearly a mile long.
Mayor Mike Petrella expressed concern the project could exceed its initial $750,000 estimate, noting it was calculated a few years ago, and suggested the cost could be $1 million or more.
But he and others agreed it's needed,since the road hasn't been paved since 2004.
In other business, Kosegi advised council he's applied for $350,000 from the state's capital budget fund for additions to the Edward P. Laman Community Park, which is located behind the Village Building.
He said if approved, the money could be used to build a small amphitheater and create a walking trail for the 13 acre site.
Kosegi noted the mayor has worked with the Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District to submit a proposal for additions to the park with 29 other Jefferson County projects for possible funding through the Appalachian Community Grant program.
He said in the event the village receives state capital funds for the park, the Appalachian grant could be used to create a paddle boat pond at the site, a more costly idea that's been pitched.
Kosegi also told council about a dozen bids were opened recently for a proposed dog park at the site.
He said they ranged from $190,000 to $220,000, and he plans to recommend one at council's next meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 4.
Kosegi said there were issues with a few bids, with one arriving late and another without the expected bid packet.
He said in the case of the third, the contractor submitted a smaller bid later, stating the initial one had been miscalculated, but the village can not accept the new one although it would have been the lowest received.
Also on Thursday:
• Council learned the village soon will have a new website, at wintersvilleoh.us, and Facebook page, at Village of Wintersville, Ohio, through which announcements of boil orders and road closings and other information may be shared.
Kosegi said he, the mayor and Wintersville Police Capt. Jason Fabian will serve as administrators for the latter and ensure comments are family-friendly and don't involve personal attacks.
Fabian said he's been working on the website after recently creating one for the police department at wintersvillepolice.us. Through it, individuals may pay fines for violations and look up village ordinances, he noted.
Plans call for the new village sites to be available by Jan. 1 or 2.
• Kosegi said the village will apply for a grant from the Ohio Emergency Medical Service to install an automated external defibrillator on the second floor of the Village Building.
The device allows non-emergency personnel to administer a limited electric shock to someone experiencing a heart attack.
Kosegi noted past grants from the agency have covered AEDs for one near the police station and nine others for the village's police vehicles.
• Petrella expressed thanks to Interstate Waste Services for distributing 100 turkeys and 100 hams to local residents earlier this week.
He also welcomed Hometown Speech Therapy as the 12th new business to open in the village this year.
• Bob Laukert, council's representative to the Steel Valley Regional Transit Authority, reported the Cross Creek Township trustees have expressed interest in the public transportation provider serving residents there.
He said SVRTA officials are expected to meet with the trustees next month to discuss the matter further, adding the SVRTA also is considering an earlier, similar request from Brilliant.
He and Charlene Prentice, who also represents Wintersville on the board, noted ridership from Wintersville has been very strong and is up 11.7 percent from last year.
• Petrella announced garbage for local businesses only will be affected by Christmas and New Year's Day and will be collected on the following Tuesdays.