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WINTERSVILLE -- Wintersville Council Thursday approved the establishment of a special fund for state money it hopes to pave Cadiz Road from the Kroger plaza to Indian Creek High School and replace a water line, manholes and catch basins along the four-lane highway.
Village Administrator Jesse Kosegi has applied for funds from the Ohio Public Works Commission while council has allocated $225,000 in local funds and secured a loan in the same amount for the project, which could exceed $1 million.
Mayor Mike Petrella 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.
"Cadiz Road will be beautiful when it's done," said Petrella.
He and other village officials have said the work is overdue, since the road hasn't been paved in 20 years and the water line believed to be more than 60 years old.
In related business, Petrella said residents have expressed some concern about some roads being patched before winter. But he said there's sufficient asphalt for them to be addressed before winter.
Petrella also took time to express thanks to voters who supported a new levy supporting the village's police department and officers and citizens who volunteered their time to distribute materials promoting it.
"We put door knockers on every door," he said.
Councilman Jason Mattern also applauded the officers' efforts, saying, "A lot of work went into that, so congratulations. You guys earned that."
Petrella said he especially was pleased to learn the levy was supported by nearly 63 percent of 2,036 Wintersville residents who turned out for the election.
To those voters, he said, "Thank you very much for putting your faith in Wiintersville and our police department."
The continuous 5-mill levy is slated to generate $437,000 per year for the police department and is intended to ensure competitive wages are offered to its officers in an effort to retain them.
Petrella said concerns were expressed through social media that the money would go into the village's general fund but it will not.
Rachel Morrison, the village's fiscal officer, said funds from the levy will go directly into the police department's fund, with the first allotments expected in April or May.
Charlene Prentiss, who with Bob Laukert represents the village on the Steel Valley Regional Transit Authority's board, told council she was pleased by the passage of the levy and another supporting the public transportation service.
Election clerks on Tuesday reported that about 57 percent of 10,047 voters supported the 2-mill levy, which is slated to generate $751,000 per year for the SVRTA, which serves Wintersville and other areas.
In other business:
• Councilwoman Gael Damron, who also is treasurer of the Fort Steuben Kennel Association, presented a $1,649.99 donation to the police department for its K-9 unit to purchase a bite suit used in training the police dog.
Damron said the money was proceeds from various events held by the group, which had supported a bite suit for the Steubenville Police Department's K-9 unit several years ago.
• Petrella reminded residents village crews will continue to use suction equipment to collect leaves raked to the edges of properties next Tuesday and on Nov. 18.
He said while the streets collected will follow the schedule for the village's spring cleanup, an effort will be made to gather any additional leaves throughout Wintersville on that last day.
The mayor stressed the leaves shouldn't be raked into streets, where they may collect in storm drains and clog them.
He added while Monday, as Veterans Day, is a holiday for village staff, sanitation crews will be gathering garbage from the village's businesses on that day.
• Petrella also announced the village's Christmas parade will be held at 4 p.m. on Dec. 8 as part of the Wintersville Winter Weekend event.
He said unlike last year, the lighting of the Christmas tree outside the Village Building is slated for Dec. 8, with details to be announced.
Damron added the beautification committee has arranged for Santa and Mrs. Claus to appear at Wintersville Methodist Church from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 8. She added a photographer will be on hand for those who would like to purchase photos taken with the pair.
Volunteers with Wednesdays in Wintersville are making other plans for Dec. 7, which will include the lighting of luminaria, in memory or honor of loved ones, along Main Street.