Several residents of Dudley Circle wants answer from council about drainage problems and flooding.
Contractor Jason Wills attended a council meeting last year listing his plan in completing the construction project of Dudley Circle, which was started several decades ago.
Wills is the third generation contractor to work on the development of Dudley Circle and he wants to finish the development so that he can build additional houses. Council will not give him permits to proceed until the street in the development is completed.
Last fall, he proceeded with putting in curbs and drainage tile, which was a problem for residents on Dudley Circle and Edgewood Drive. Heavy rains would flood yards. Now that drainage has been routed to new tile which runs under State Route 37, the problem has been alleviated, somewhat.
With many inches of snow and rain throughout the winter, the water is reportedly still not draining away very quickly. Some residents stated that they have been driving through up to 12 inches of water to get into their driveways. One resident asked if the drive was curved a certain way to make the water go away. He thought that it only had one drain to take away the water.
Residents have begged council to make Wills get the job completed, as they have waited for years to have a paved street, like everyone else in the village has.
Council told the residents that they have tried working with Wills to get the project complete, but since it is private property, and until the work is completed as promised to the village, their hands are tied. Council has asked village administrator Monte Asher to contact Wills and ask him to come in and give an update on where the project stands.
Another concern brought before council was parking on West Bomford Street. When a school bus, fire truck or emergency squad comes from Race Street onto West Bomford Street, it is nearly impossible to make a turn east when cars are parked on the north side of the street near that intersection.
Council approved an ordinance, as an emergency measure, waiving the three-reading rule, to prohibit parking from 218 W. Bomford to Brookins Street for the safety of the community.
If vehicles are parked in that section of West Bomford Street they will be asked to move by the police department.
Bryan Pulley addressed council regarding an upcoming event for the North Union Little League organization. No baseball was held at Monroe Field or Veterans Way Field last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With restriction easing up slightly, the organization contacted the Union County Health Department about the Little League hosting a parade. Tentatively, the parade is set for April 24 at 11 a.m. The parade route will be from Gill Street, north to the village administration building, 153 N. Franklin St., and winding back to Richwood Park. Each team will walk together in the parade, and anyone wishing to join may participate.
Once back at the boys ball diamond, each team will be recognized as April 24 is opening day for the season.
Council is working on a plan to offer bulk water for sale to anyone who needs several hundred gallons. They discussed where the customers would get their water.
The sewer plant has wifi, which would support a wireless machine where customers can fill out an application, pay with a credit card and fill up with water, once approved.
Concerns were raised as to whether a large semi or truck would be able to back into the plant to get the water or turn around to be able to head out of the drive. Many other questions were raised and council decided to table the opportunity until all questions could be answered.
Council has a signed contract with Discount Portable to provide port-a-pots at Richwood Park, once Tidy Tim removes its equipment. In the agreement, Discount Portable will provide toilet paper, hand sanitizer and servicing one time a week in return for dumping 1,200 gallons a week of sludge via the fairgrounds trailer dump station. Both parties agreed to split the cost of vandalism if any.
Mayor Scott Jerew announced that the grant money received from the Union County Health Department will be used soon. The new playground equipment for the beach area, by the new shelterhouse, should be installed March 17. It should take about a day to get it assembled and installed.
In other business, council:
•Heard from zoning inspector Marion Bump that there is software available that will digitally store documents, saving many hours of time looking in files for paperwork that has been submitted, regarding citations and letters sent to residents that may have to mow their lawns, getting rid of trash, etc., items regarding zoning. Council will continue to look into the possibility;
•Heard and update from Councilman Reddy Brown on the work done in the opera house in shoring up the roof and other items of need.
•Was informed that a pre-construction meeting was held recently regarding the upcoming work on the South Franklin Street Project. It is estimated that work may begin as soon as next month.
•Approved a motion to hire a part-time, seasonal employee in the park department. Advertising for the position will be done soon. The employee will work no more than 30 hours per week, including evenings and weekends at a rate of $15.04 per hour.
-Was informed that the new water plant plans were submitted to the EPA for review.
•Was told that Forest Lane Apartments is installing a storm tile that will run along the area of the water tower.
•Approved a motion to have Lee’s Roofing install a new roof, with a 15 year-warranty at a cost of $30,000, over the police evidence room, which is experiencing leaks.
The next meeting of village council will be held Monday, March 22 at 7 p.m.