Representatives from North Union Little League approached council members during the regular Monday night meeting.
The officers of the league asked council if it would be able to offer some help and guidance to resolve the flooding problem on Monroe Field baseball diamond, located at Richwood Park. The field has a sump pump which helps remove the water on the field, but officials are unsure where the water goes after it is pumped from the field. Flooding has been a continual problem, causing delays during the baseball season.
Village Administrator Monte Asher told the men that he could call a company to come and smoke or dye the water to see where it may be going. Asher stated that the village will do what it can to help.
The little league officials also said that they are holding a park clean-up at the baseball diamond on Saturday before the season begins. Asher told the representatives that the village will help fix the concession stand which was damaged when a pipe burst inside the building.
Asher announced that the restrooms at the park will be opened for public use on Monday, April 1. He also said that the village will begin picking up brush and chipping branches that are left curbside on Mondays. The brush should be stacked near the curb in small stacks and should include no trash.
During the meeting, it was mentioned that there will be a site inspection set for early April on Gill Street. A new tornado siren has been ordered and is expected to be delivered in mid April, to be installed by the end of the month. This joint project with the Northern Union County Fire District and the Village of Richwood will provide more safety for those in the southern section of the village. Siren tests will be performed every Wednesday at noon during tornado season.
Councilman Reddy Brown announced that North Union fifth grade students will be planting oak trees on April 12 and April 26 in the park in connection with Arbor Day. With the aging cottonwood trees dying, it was decided now is the time to replenish the park with new trees, as Richwood was named for its history of many trees.
In other business, council:
-Approved the third and final reading of the budget ordinance.
-Passed the final resolution to approve Franklin Street Enhancement as an emergency.
-Approved a resolution authorizing the revision of pay rates for 2019 on third and final reading.
-Heard from Asher that the village has replaced four water meters, turned on/off services five time in the last two weeks, had 16 service calls, removed the Pearl Street lift station pump which needs rebuilt, removed the Gill Street lift station pump, installed a new blower at the wastewater treatment plant and prepared to clean the Pearl Street lift station.
-Was told that new stone has been laid in the driveway around Richwood Park.
-Was told that sludge from the sewer plant is being prepared for land application at the Joe Wiley farm.
-Heard that the 2004 Chevy pickup has had new gauge cluster installed and flashing lights from the old truck have been installed on the newer truck.
-Will be looking at future plans for a new water plant. It will take approximately two years to complete plans.
-Heard the Union County Law Enforcement Memorial is set for May 16 at 7 p.m.
-Learned that new hand-held MARCS radios will be ordered and the old radios will be traded in.
-Was told that the Richwood Police Department and members of the Richwood Church of Christ will host the annual Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 13, at Richwood Park at 11 a.m. The rain date will be April 20.
The next meeting of council will be held Monday, April 8, at 7 p.m. Meetings are open to the public.