MOUNT GILEAD — The new playground “is a hit,” according to Village Administrator Dan Rogers.

Rogers told Mount Gilead Village Council and visitors Monday night that the village is receiving rave reviews on the recently completed playground that replaces the old Fort Gilead site.

“It’s been a lot of hard work by everyone,” Rogers said. “We tore down Fort Gilead in three days and we plan to move the small monument to the new park site soon.”

The restrooms are operational. A surveillance system is needed, however, to monitor the area after hours.

A time capsule from 1996 was taken from Fort Gilead. It was opened at the Class of 2007’s reunion on Saturday. A newspaper and a necklace were among the items in the time capsule.

A new brush truck has arrived for the village’s fire department.

Fire Chief Gregg Young is pleased with it. The truck is valued at $130,000, but cost the village $7,500 through a federal assistance grant.

Despite those positive reports, there is a new challenge facing the village’s finances.

“The garbage truck broke down,” Rogers said. It could cost $10,600 to repair it and to rent another one. He said the village is exploring its options.

In other business, council:

• Received a $1,000 check toward the village police department’s K9 program. Jeff Hall, co-chair of the Friends of Mount Gilead Police Department K9 program, presented Officer Tom Cronenwett and K9 Officer Nik the check. The money was raised from a golf outing.

“We appreciate all your efforts,” said Mayor Mike Porter.

• The village is looking at surface treatment of streets to reduce costs. A committee meeting will be set to decide, Rogers said.

• Maintenance work was performed on the wastewater treatment plant. About 500,000 gallons of sludge were hauled out of the plant.

• Four bids have been received to paint one of the village’s water towers. Bids ranged from $388,500 to $600,720. The bids are being evaluated by the village engineer.

• The fill dirt and retaining walls are complete at the site for the Taco Bell. Rogers said residents can expect to see “the first of the structure going up soon.”

• Porter said study is being given to the possibility of the village forming its own township, like Marengo and other villages in the area have done.

“I’m not saying it’s the correct option, but we need to study it and have long-range planning committee and council members give their input.”

• Council voted to add “taxes for blight” to residents’ property tax bills, when deemed appropriate. This occurs when properties are abandoned or foreclosed on and the village takes on the responsibility of mowing grass or otherwise keeping the property clean and blight-free.

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New brush truck for village of Mount Gilead.
http://www.morrowcountysentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2017/08/web1_brushtruck.jpgNew brush truck for village of Mount Gilead. Courtesy Photo
MOUNT GILEAD COUNCIL

By Anthony Conchel

The Sentinel

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