ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
June, 2021

PLANNING COMMISSION MET ON REZONING OF S. ERIE STREET ON THURSDAY, MAY 27TH AT 5:30 P.M.

Planning Commission met on May 27, 2021 at town hall to start the process of re-zoning 4 lots on S. Erie Street and reviewing changes to the B-2 Commercial District language. The planning commission recommends that the suggested changes to the B-2 Commercial Gateway District which was passed in Resolution 2021-05 be affirmed with one amendment. Commission recommends that in Section 207-09 Screening, that vinyl fencing be allowed as material to be used in the screening of dumpsters, etc. The re-zoning of lots suggested in Resolution 2021-06 which included 2 parcels owned by Matt Hopkins, known as 12-17S-015-00 and 12-17S-016-00 and two parcels owned by Rob Gerken, known as 12-17-S-020-00 and 12-17S-017-00. A public hearing is scheduled on these two zoning amendments on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. at town hall. After that public hearing the recommendations can be acted on by council at the July regular meeting.

PUBLIC HEARING SET ON ERIE STREET EXTENDED VACATION REQUEST:

An application for street vacation and the survey was submitted to this office. Todd and Jeff Cook intends to purchase 3 lots on Stone Street located directly behind the former H & H Cleaner building. Between Lots 14 & 5 is the Erie Street Extended right-of-way. I have attached a GIS photo that shows the lots and the road right-of-way between the two lots. This again is an extended street that will never be developed and is not used by the Village. Cooks will be the owner of the lots and the vacation of the small amount of land will go to him. Abutting the property to the north is the railroad and they have given permission to vacate the property if it is granted. The railroad will not receive any of the vacated road as they simply touch the lot. A public hearing on this request will be heard right before the July 19, 2021 council meeting at 5:15 p.m. at town hall. Mel has prepared an ordinance to accept this vacation request if council approves the request.

FARMER’S WELL TO DISCONTINUE SALE OF BULK WATER:

As reported to council at the May council meeting the backflow preventer on the farmer’s well is broken and the cost of repair and/or replace is more than what we bring in for the sale of water to local farmers in 10 years. The Village only brings in $300.00 a year and the cost for replacement could be $5,000.00. This writer contact the few local farmers that get water from us and they were not interested in participating in the cost of the repair. I would request that council make a motion to stop the sale of water from this well so that the utility office could send a formal letter to local farmers that this well is no longer available. EPA regulates backflow preventers be used on all wells and with the failure of our preventer we would be notified to shut down this well since we are not repairing it.

FIBER OPTIC TO BE EXPENDED IN THE VILLAGE AND SURROUNDING AREA:

On June 2, 2021 Phil Maag, President of Metalink Technologies met with the undersigned and informed that Metalink intended to extend fiber optic line currently on N. Main Street north on Main to Road 192 as their expansion of fiber optic continues. Metalink would also be extending fiber to the side streets off of Main Street and would install the cable in the village’s road right-of-way between the curb and sidewalk. The expansion of 5G would also continue as they are able to install hubs in the north end of town.

Additionally, a fiber route is planned to bring more fiber into town from the East on CR 180. I have attached their map showing their two routes they intend to install. The new routes are shown in red. They will contact the village as it near time for installation and for permission to lay fiber in the right-of-way.

RAILROAD CROSSINGS AT HARRMANN AND KROOS TO RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING SIGNALS AND GATES THIS SUMMER:

Last summer this writer met with the Ohio Rail Commission, PUCO and the Pioneer Rail at the Harrmann Road and Kroos Drive crossings. These were scheduled for review for signals and crossing gates. Both of these crossings are scheduled for upgrades. After a thorough review on traffic, potential for more trains to use the track and growth surrounding both of these areas is was determine by the Rail Commission that signals and gates should be installed. As an update from the last review five years ago, the concern expressed by the Village at that time was the chance that traffic could be stuck either on the track or hanging out onto to E. River when the gates came down. The solution to this potential problem will be address by solar powered LED signage on E. River that would come on 5 seconds before the gates came down on the Harrmann Road Crossing that states; “No Right Turn”, if coming from the west headed east and “No Left Turn”, if coming from the east heading west. All of the costs incurred for these improvements will be bared by the State Rail Commission, PUCO and the railroad. The additional solar led lights will not be required onto Kroos Drive.

As a follow up to this meeting, this writer was recently contacted in a conference call involving the rail commission, PUCO and the railroad that this project would go forward and that permission to place the solar signs in the Village’s road right-of-way would be needed. The maintenance of the solar signs will be the responsibility of the railroad.

RE-INSPECTION OF HOME AT 107 E. RIVER:

The home at 107 E. River was re-inspected on June 7, 2021 by housing inspector Bruce Essex. Bruce noted 95% of all short comings in the house have been completed and the gas company said it would be 2 more weeks before they can connect the lines. He noted it has been quite a transformation. Completion if anticipated in the next week. He will schedule a final inspection at that time.

PATCHING AND PAVING TO BE COMPLETED:

Loop Asphalt will complete patching and paving throughout the Village this summer. This writer noted pot holes and waterline break repairs throughout town and supplied Loop a map and street addresses on what needs repaired.

DUMP BED 3500 SIERRA TRUCK:

I am working with Bob Ross Buick, Inc., a state awarded contact company for sales to municipalities, and should have a quote for council to review. Curtis will review the specifications this week and I hope you have that quote ready to go for you that Aimee can bring to finance committee.