ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

September, 2016

 

ANTWERP FIRE DEPARTMENT PURCHASES THERMAL IMAGER:

The AFD purchased a thermal imager along with the thermal throttle and accessories at a cost of $8,299.00 with proceeds from their gun raffle.

 

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL:

Construction is to begin on the sidewalks to the school on Monday, 9/19/16 and completion date is set for 10/31/16. Vern Nagel, Inc. of Napoleon is the contractor.

 

REGISTRATION OF COMPOST SITE SENT TO EPA:

The registration paperwork for the compost site at the sewer plant was mailed to EPA last week.  According to EPA it will take a couple of weeks to review and an on-site visit will be made.  A gate has been purchased along with required EPA signage.  A roll off container from Real Waste has been delivered to the plant so trash items that have been dropped off that are not yard waste can be cleaned up and removed.   A company that commercially chips branches is scheduled to visit the sewer plant this week to give us an estimate on what chipping may cost the village each year and how big of branches they can chip.  It is hoped that the site can be opened before leaves fall.  An update on the progress will be made Monday night.  For the balance of the year, existing employees will take turns manning the site on Saturdays that we’re open.

 

OHIO PUBLIC WORKS APPLICATION FOR WATER PLANT IMPROVEMENTS SUBMITTED:

An application for funding for the water plant improvements mandated by Ohio EPA was submitted to the Paulding County Engineer on September 8, 2016.  A total project estimate of $175, 450.00 was determined, with 50% or $87,725.00 in grant and 50% or $87,725.00 zero interest loan was requested.  This project is competitive within the county but due to the EPA mandate that we do these upgrades, I am hoping this will score our request higher.  I will plan on attending the review meeting with the County Committee when it is scheduled.  We should hear by the end of the year if the application will be funded.  If it is, it would be a 2017 project.  The first loan re-payment would be in 2018 and should be approximately $2,925.00 per year for 30 years.  The breakdown of the improvements was sent to council members in a prior mailing.

 

BACKFLOW PREVENTION PROGRAM NEEDS TO BE UPDATED PER EPA.

As a part of the upgrades required by Ohio EPA of the Village, our current backflow prevention ordinance needs updated to include:

  • To determine within all consumer’s premises whether there are actual or potential cross-connections to the village’s water system need to be done every five years.  EPA is requiring a 5 year timeline schedule that the village will determine which water customers need backflow preventers.
  • Determine if any commercial service connections are potential crosss-connections hazards and require them to install a backflow prevention device.
  • Annual inspection of preventers must be undertaken and a copy of inspection reports mailed to the Village of Antwerp.
  • All bulk water stations have to be equipped with air gaps which cannot be compromised.  Our farmer’s well does have a backflow preventer on it but the hydrant on Water Plant Drive which is used for bulk water must have a backflow preventer installed.
  • New ordinance must contain language that if the water customer failed to install an approved backflow preventer within 30 days of receipt of a written notice from the Village, the Village shall:

Discontinue water service until the preventer is installed.

  • Water Customers with preventers must have annual inspections and results of this inspection must be sent to the Village of Antwerp.  Failure to do so will result in discontinuation of water service until such time as the inspection is completed.

 

I will be working with Melanie to put together an ordinance.  The Village of Ottawa has an updated ordinance which we will use as a guideline.  The utility committee should meet to determine if there should be penalties included in this ordinance for failure to comply with the backflow prevention ordinance.

 

GOLF CART INSURANCE COVERAGE:

I wanted to mention to golf cart owners they should check with their agents to see if once they leave their property if they are covered by their homeowner’s policy.  To my knowledge a lot of homeowner policies are not insuring golf carts, four wheelers, etc. and those type of recreational vehicles and that they must be covered under your auto insurance.  The village will continue to monitor the new state law which goes into effect in December as requiring golf carts and other vehicles that travel under 35 mph, to be licensed and registered.  The Village of Hicksville requires registration of golf carts and I attached a copy of their ordinance/policy for council to review Monday night.  I’m not anticipating any action on this issue, but want to keep you up-to-date on what is out there.

 

ADDITIONAL NO THRU TRUCKS SIGNS INSTALLED:

Due to reports of semi traffic on E. Canal, the utility department installed two additional No Thru Truck signs on E. Canal.  One is located at the intersection of Harrmann Road and E. Canal and the other is located at the intersection of Kroos Drive and E. Canal.  I am hoping that these signs will catch the eye of semis coming west on E. Canal and Kroos Drive.

 

TRICK OR TREAT NIGHT:

As done in the past, Trick or Treat night will be the last Saturday of October, which is October 29, 2016, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

 

CONGRESSMAN LATTA’S OFFICE TO HOLD HOURS AT ANTWERP TOWN HALL:

Congressman Bob Latta’s office will hold hours at town hall on Wednesday, October 5, 2016, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. for any resident who would like to address Congressman Latta’s office staff.