Richwood Village Council met Monday with some members attending remotely and others behind in masks behind new plexi-glass shields in order to follow CDC guidelines.
Village resident Jerry Moore inquired about the upcoming South Franklin Street project. Village Administrator Monte Asher said that bids for the project of installing new water and sewer lines, sidewalks and pavement, will be advertised in early December and opening of bids will be held in January 2021. More information will be announced in coming months about the project.
Moore also mentioned to council that there are two dead trees on West Bomford Street that could pose problems if they should fall down. He asked if council is responsible for removing the trees before they cause damage.
Mayor Scott Jerew deferred the question to Village Solicitor Alison Boggs. She stated that the village has a permanent easement in the tree lawn for any utility work, but that the village does not own the trees.
Moore stated that the village was responsible for taking down the trees on South Franklin Street in preparation for the another village project and that he didn’t see the difference in taking down dead trees in the tree lawn on other streets in the village.
Boggs suggested that council contact its insurance company to see who encumbers the cost of any possible damage.
Jerew told council that he toured the Rudis Warehouse on West Ottawa Street, in the former Marcy Industries building. Rudis is a warehouse for wrestling and sports products. Jerew welcomed the company to the community.
Council member Reddy Brown reported on the Richwood Development committee. It will hold a meeting on Dec. 10 at the village administration building to discuss funding and costs associated shoring up the roof of the former village hall. Also to be discussed is setting up an account at Richwood Bank as a 501c(3) for anyone wishing to use a donation as a tax deductions. The committee will report to council at its Dec. 14 meeting.
In other business, council:
•Heard the village received a $15,000 grant from the Union County Health Department to install new playground equipment near the beach/shelter house area of the lake.
•Heard that due to COVID-19, the Union County Civil Air Patrol will not hold a ceremony of laying wreaths for military veterans at the Veteran’s Memorial near the lake. Gail DeGood Guy will personally place some wreaths in the next few weeks.
•Approved a temporary budget.
•Heard a sewer pipe needs repaired on East Blagrove Street in front of Plotner Hardware. The street will need to be closed a day or two once a plan is made.
•Heard an update on the CARES Act funds for touch-less plumbing, water meters for no contact readings, street message board, watering stations at the park, radios for all police officers and a touch-less door to the administration building were installed with these funds.
The next public council meeting will be held Monday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.