Mount Gilead Village Council met despite Monday’s subzero wind-chill.
After reviewing the recommendation from Poggemeyer Design Group, Council members approved the low bid from OURS Excavating of Mount Gilead for the Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Phase One project.
The project will include relining the oldest part of the Mount Gilead sewer system, which includes between 2,000 and 2,500 feet of sewer lines and manholes. Some of the lines are from the 1890’s.
The project will total about $480,000 and the village will fund 26 percent of the total. The rest will be a match of the Ohio State Issue One that funds infrastructure projects.
Officials are also working to extend the village sewer system to the east along State Route 95. The project is a collaboration of the ODNR (Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources), the village and Pine Lakes Golf Course. The ODNR will do the work of installing the lines. Bob Thomas, the Pine Lakes owner is giving the village an easement for the sewer lines and the village is responsible for the engineering of the project.
Village Administrator Dan Rogers said the ODNR has plans to begin construction soon and be finished by June. Having access to sewer and water lines is part of the Mt. Gilead State Park’s renewal project for campground showers and restrooms.
Pine Lakes Golf Course will also have access to the sewer lines along with several homes along St. Rt. 95.
In other business, Council approved the $9,500 estimate for a new software system to be installed by Shook Electric for Mayor’s Court. The current system is 30 years old. The new system will tie-in to the Mount Gilead Police Department.
Rogers said he will be putting in a new tab for the village website with information about water billing for village residents. There will also be a notice for residents to sign. This is in response to the suggestions from Morgan Salisbury at the Jan. 4 meeting.
Council Member, Keith Strait said that the Utility Committee plans to meet with Salisbury to hear her suggestions and get some input from her. Rogers said he still plans to get information out for residents now. It can always be changed and updated later if needed and when council makes any changes in billing and collections.
“We want to be proactive and try to be better at communication,” added Rogers.
There was a special meeting to review fiscal operations and John Oyster was sworn-in as the fourth new council member. Committee assignments for 2016 were announced. They include: Streets, Keith Strait; Safety, Kay Hines; Finance & Personnel, Tim Clapper; Utilities, John Oyster; Long Range Planning, Tim Clapper; Village Development & Zoning, Donna Carver and Codes & Regulations, Chris Sherbourne.
The next village council meeting will be Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building.
John Oyster is sworn-in to Mount Gilead Council position by Mayor Mike Porter.
