Mt. Sterling wants to pay back loans on water projects

Friday, November 13, 2009

By Dean Shipley
Staff Writer

The Village of Mt. Sterling wants to get some of its money back on its recent water plant and wastewater upgrade projects. So Monday evening it passed a resolution to apply for monies—with up to 45 percent being eligible for grants—to pay back loans for the engineering and construction on the aforementioned projects.

Total amount is $395,265.

Village administrator Dusty Parker recommended going for both amounts, $187,665 for engineering and $207,600 for the upgrade, “and get our money back.”

The measure was passed on emergency in order to meet a filing deadline of Nov. 19.

Parker said the village can apply through the Rural Development Authority of the Ohio Department of Agriculture for funding. He said by going through that agency up to 45 percent of requested funds can be deemed a grant. To qualify, Parker said the village also had to submit a preliminary engineering request.

Also part of his report, Parker said motorists should be on the lookout next week in the village. Work on replacing support poles for the traffic signal at Main and Columbus will begin. Parker reports street superintendent Joe Johnson has spoken with Bright Electric, contractor. He said the contractor will begin the week of Nov. 16 to tear out concrete.

In the report from finance committee chair Lowell Anderson, he said the village “will have to make severe cuts.”

“We will advise on the 2009-2010 budget,” Anderson said.

He said the village can no longer count on any substantial help from the state with its local government funding.

“I’m not sure what we’ll get from that fund,” he said.

With non-passage of the recent income tax issue, the village’s financial future will include cuts.

In her report on nuisance abatement, Marylou Ratliff said violations have been put into the hand of Rod Bryant, hired by the village to handle nuisance complaints. He is also working with the solicitor to update resolutions regarding nuisances.