Paving, water line project eyed in Wintersville
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WINTERSVILLE -- On Thursday, Village Administrator Jesse Kosegi told council he will revise plans to pave Cadiz Road to include replacement of nearly a mile of aging water line beneath it.
Kosegi said he withdrew an application for funds from the Ohio Public Works Commission to pave Cadiz Road from the Kroger plaza to Indian Creek High School so it can be amended to include replacement of the water line, which is believed to have been installed in the 1950s.
"I think that's a smart way to do it, instead of doing all of that (paving) work and then tearing it up," he told council.
Kosegi said the paving project will include the replacement of manholes and catch basins along the four-lane highway.
Council earlier allocated about $225,000 in local funds for the project and secured a loan in the same amount for the paving, which has been estimated at $615,000.
Kosegi said he hopes to secure state funds for the remainder and for the water line, which has been estimated at $180,000.
He noted the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission has secured a grant of about $400,000 from the Ohio Department of Transportation to replace sidewalks along the road.
The village will provide a $20,000 match for the grant.
On Thursday, Councilman Jason Mattern said, "I'm very happy we're cleaning up the sidewalks out that way. They need some tender loving care."
Mayor Mike Petrella said earlier the paving is overdue because Cadiz Road hasn't been paved since 2004.
Kosegi said he hopes to secure sufficient funds to create a more durable two-inch base for the road.
Because the work isn't expected to start until next year, he said he hopes some temporary repairs can be made until then.
In other business, Petrella said with the help of Village Solicitor Jake Linn, he plans to introduce legislation that would hold him and council members accountable for attending meetings.
Linn noted a previous ordinance had established penalties for missing a specific number of consecutive meetings.
Petrella said he plans to veer from that, calling instead for a cut in pay for those who miss multiple meetings within a year.
Currently the mayor is paid $750 per month and council members receive $500 per month.
In other business:
• Kosegi said the installation of new computer software soon will allow the village's water customers to pay their bills online or by dialing a automated phone system through which they may pay with a credit card.
He said for those who prefer to pay in person, a new drive-up drop box will be created at the Village Building or customers may continue to do so in the building's front lobby.
The online and dial-up payment options are made possible with the installation of hundreds of new radio-read water meters and are expected to be available in 30 to 45 days.
• Council approved an ordinance establishing the parking of a vehicle in the front yard of a residence to be a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine to be determined.
• Petrella announced the village's police department purchased a new vehicle for its K-9 unit from TEAM Ford Steubenville. He said the cost for the vehicle was $71,208, including about $26,000 for police equipment added to it.
Kosegi said the vehicle will replace a 2006 Ford Expedition the department had bought used several years ago.
• In response to a recent incident in which a bicyclist fell on a sidewalk, Kosegi said maintenance of all sidewalks that abut private properties are the responsibility of their owners with the exception of Sienna Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation on Cadiz Road.
• Council heard from resident Bob Laukert, who represents the village on the Steel Valley Regional Transit Authority.
Laukert told council a levy supporting the transportation provider will be up for renewal in the Nov. 5 general election, it will be seeking support from Wintersville and all of the communities it serves.
He also announced residents of nearby Cross Creek Township have expressed interest in receiving the service, and the Cross Creek Township Trustees have agreed to conduct a survey to determine the demand.
• It was announced council's finance and ordinance committees will meet at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., respectively on Monday, and because of a scheduling conflict, council's next meeting will be at 6 p.m. Sept. 18 instead of Sept. 19.