Richwood Council members met Monday evening to hear about some events that will take place within the village this spring.
Gail DeGood Guy updated council of the North Union Veterans Memorial near Richwood Park. Clean-up is complete and during the May 21 United Way Community Care Day event, volunteers will take care of putting new plants in place and laying mulch to dress up the memorial.
She also invited council to take part in the annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 27 at 10 a.m. The police and fire departments are also encouraged to participate. More information will be announced later. DeGood Guy also reminded those in attendance that on Memorial Day, it is customary to lower the American flag in the morning on Memorial Day and raise it at noon.
Mayor Scott Jerew announced that the signs and information regarding the United Way’s Born Learning Trail project was delivered to the village. This project will be placed around the walking path at Richwood Lake. Artwork on path will be painted by the North Union High School Art students in the very near future. Children will learn about wildlife in Richwood Park, have games, such as hop-scotch and others painted on the path.
Jerew also stated to council that only one refuse company sent in a bid for the proposed village trash pick-up and their bid came back higher than some residents already pay, so council voted to reject the bid and will look at rebidding the project in the future.
Village Administrator Monte Asher updated council on the progress of Phase 1 of the Franklin Street project. He said that the work is on schedule and that the sewer lines to Landon Road are nearly complete. In areas where there are new sidewalks, he mentioned that the gas company put in the sidewalks after they worked on installing new gas lines on North Franklin Street. There will be new sidewalks installed near the end of the project.
A council member suggested that council consider putting in a four-way-stop at the intersection of North Fulton and West Blagrove streets. Currently it is considered a three-way stop, with continuous traffic from East Blagrove to West Blagrove streets. The reasoning was there will be more traffic when a new restaurant opens in the vicinity and more traffic this summer to Richwood Park. Council will consider the request at another time.
Fifth grade students will be planting 20 White Swamp Oak trees at Richwood Park this Friday at 10 a.m. in honor of Arbor Day. The date had been postponed from last week due to wet conditions.
In other business, council;
-Heard that a Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) meeting is set for Monday 29 at 8:30 p.m. to discuss changing a business from a B1 to a B2.
-Received a check in the amount of $150 from Rachel Shadel for the Opera House restoration fund.
-Heard about a broken sewer line in the alley between North Clinton and North Franklin streets.
-Was told that a certified letter was sent to Jason Wills regarding the installation of a new street that will come off of Edgewood Drive, Dudley Street and Dudley Circle.
-Announced that Jack Moore has resigned as a village council member effective April 15. Council will be taking applications for the position. Those who meet the criteria, may pick up an application at the village administration building, 153 N. Franklin St.
-Suspended the rules and approved an agreement for Access Engineering Solutions, LLC to perform all professional services as may be authorized by the village for preparation of the Project Development Process for the Safe Routes to School project. This will be paid for through the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) grant of $38,500.
-Was told that the new tornado siren was installed last week off of Gill Street. Electricity will be added and the project should be complete this week. Asher stated that a test will take place at the completion of the project;
-Was told by Police Chief Monte Asher that Safety Town will be held at North Union Elementary by the end of April.
-Heard the Union County Law Enforcement Memorial is set for May 16 at 7 p.m. Chief Asher and four officers will be attending;
-Heard that police officer Blevins will move to part-time and officer Jacob Mahle will go to full-time status effective May 1.
-Was told that the village received a 100 percent award from the Bureau of Workers Comp.
Council’s next regular meeting is set for Monday, May 13, at 7 p.m. at the village administration building. The meeting is open to the public.