Wintersville water customers urged to set meter appointments
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WINTERSVILLE -- As crews come closer to completing the installation of new water meters for the village, those customers who haven't received them are being urged to make arrangements to do so.
At Thursday's Wintersville Council meeting, Village Administrator Jesse Kosegi said crews still need to install about 500 meters for a mix of businesses and residents.
Because many of the village's old meters were installed inside homes and buildings, those who haven't had theirs changed are advised to contact Newman Plumbing Inc., the Harmony, Pa., contractor hired to perform the task, which will require 25 to 35 minutes.
Kosegi said efforts will be made to schedule the work around residents' work hours, but it must be done soon.
He confirmed the village has received an extension on the use of state funds awarded for the project, which is expected to provide more accurate readings for the village and allow customers to pay their bills online.
The $985,000 project is being funded by a $341,000 grant and a $535,000 10 year, no interest loan from the Ohio Public Works Commission and local funds.
Appointments for the installations can be arranged by calling (888) 437-0078 between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or e-mailing newmanmeters@gmail.com.
In other business, council asked Village Solicitor Jake Linn, its legal counsel, to look into a bid that was submitted for the planned dog park at Edward P. Laman Community Park.
Kosegi said about a dozen bids were received for the first phase of the park, which will be created behind the Village Building.
He said of those received by the announced deadline, the lowest was in the amount of $168,249 from Sweet Meadow Farms.
But Kosegi noted there also was a lower bid, submitted by another contractor after the deadline apparently because of some miscalculation involving either the business or the engineering firm involved in planning the project.
While council members were prepared to consider the Sweet Meadow Farms bid, it was tabled so Linn could investigate.
The village has been awarded $100,000 in State Capital Budget funds, with the help of state Rep. Ron Ferguson, R-Wintersville, and $10,000 from the county commission's recreational fund for the park.
Kosegi also advised council about $57,900 remains from a $350,000 loan secured by the village from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
He said the money so far has been used to purchase a heavy duty truck for snow plowing and other tasks, a medium duty truck and an enclosed trailer for use by village crews.
Kosegi said the remaining funds could be used to purchase a new police cruiser and replace a digital lighted arrow sign with trailer used to direct traffic around areas where crews are working.
The village administrator also asked council in the future to consider having its state-required audits being done every two years, instead of every year.
He said it currently costs the village about $19,000 for the annual audit and estimated having it done every two years, as permitted by the state, would cost between $10,000 and $11,000.
In related business, council agreed to have Rachel Morrison, the village's new fiscal officer, named on the village's bank accounts.
The meeting was presided by Council President Randy Spence, who announced Mayor Mike Petrella was absent because he was with his wife, Emily, and their newborn daughter.
Spence also advised village crews will be removing the Christmas lights along Main Street in the near future and asked drivers to be cautious while passing through that area.
On Thursday, Spence was re-elected council president for this year by his fellow council members.
Council's next regular meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 1.