There is a lot of work taking place in Richwood, so council got an update from every corner of the village at Monday night’s regular meeting.
Village Administrator Monte Asher announced that the west side of North Franklin Street will be closed to parking, from West Ottawa Street to West Blagrove Street today and Thursday. Ohio Complete General has been boring into the ground on North and South Franklin Streets, preparing to install new street lights. This is part of the Ohio Department of Transportation Franklin Street Beautification grant. Approximately 70 new street lights will be added along the main thoroughfare through the village. Crews have been boring into the ground, locating other water, sewer and gas lines so that they can install pipes which the electric lines will be housed in for the new lights.
Ohio Complete General will be boring on the west side of North Franklin Street this week and needs to have the vacant parking spaces to drill into the concrete and to vacuum the debris up when crews are finished. Customers and business employees are asked to secure other parking arrangements Wednesday and Thursday.
Mayor Scott Jerew told council members that the new floating dock, which was also secured through grant money, should be arriving before the end of August, as previously reported. The old dock has been removed and council is anxious to receive the new dock, which will be ADA (American Disabilities Act) compliant for wheelchairs to access.
Jerew also told council that the new shelter house that will be built near the beach area is set to be delivered Sept. 10 and construction will begin as soon as possible.
The Trail Blazers group is making plans to have picnic tables and benches ordered to be added around the walking path. Members are hoping to order enough to save shipping costs. Anyone seeking addition information should contact Jerew.
Residents who have been concerned about the flooding in the village continue to follow council’s plans for a solution to solve the problem. Council approved the addition of replacing two stormwater lines, a 16 inch, which is broken down, and an 18 inch line with two 24 inch lines that would take water from State Route 47 East to Edgewood Drive and to East Ottawa Street and send the excess water out to Ottawa Ditch when heavy rains fall. Council expects to have some extra money from the North Franklin Street project and with the money from the $1 monthly fee for waste water for the project. Council will discuss the finances of the project at a future meeting.
Carmen and Eric Shields approached council about a project they would like to do at Richwood Park. The tennis courts are not usable in their current condition and they would like to volunteer their labor to clean up the courts by killing weeds and painting lines to update the facility. They also would like to use the area for anyone wishing to play “pickle ball.” This is a new sports craze and they have connections to possibly secure some used equipment that could temporarily convert the tennis courts for those who wish to play pickle ball. They did not ask council for any money for the project, just their approval to give back to the park. The vote of council was unanimous.
In other business, council;
-Heard from village resident Fred Cheney that a tree in the tree lawn has blown over his home. He said that if it continues to fall, it will take out utility lines overhead and asked if the village was responsible for trees in the tree lawn. Asher will look into the situation.
-Heard that a sign near the Dollar General store is blocked from view by tree limbs/weeds and Asher will check with the business about making the sign visible.
-Was told that Shelly Company has been delayed by the weather regarding the installation of the asphalt on North Franklin Street. The company hopes to have the asphalt laid by the end of August, weather permitting.
-Heard that potholes near the post office have been fixed by village crews.
-Heard that the Trail Blazers group will be holding a Haunted Trail on Oct. 26 around the walking path for the public, from 8 to 11 p.m.
The next council meeting will be held Monday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend.