Village initiatives making progress

HOWARDS GROVE – Village President James Scheiber said that he feels that his board members are making progress in cost reductions for the village.

When Scheiber took office this past spring, he set initiatives for the board to reduce costs without compromising current services. Also followed up on the village’s Smart Growth plan, keeping village residents informed with a town hall meeting and having committee members schedule flexible meetings, cutting internal costs.

The second town hall meeting is scheduled Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 6:30 p.m.

Clerk/Treasurer Mary Zore reported that they are looking at a 10-year loan renewal with Cleveland State Bank with a 15-year amortization for the Village Hall mortgage.

Safety Committee Chairman Jeff Plass said he has met with Forest Hill subdivision residents on the lighting issue, stating it was in the underground cable and it should be taken care of.

Plass also met with town constables to discuss training needed so that if needed, it could be budgeted for next year. He said there seems to be no immediate plans.

Plass wanted the constables to indicate what they wanted to do in their roles for the village – job expectations.

A complaint of children out past curfew was also addressed. Village policy states that children under 16 must be supervised between the hours of 11 p.m.-6:30 a.m.

A motion was made to make sidewalk repairs throughout the village.

The Public Works Department is still dealing with assessment complaints from residents of the Glenn Avenue and Conrad Court cul-de-sac development. Chairman Dan Binversie stated that the final work, when completed, would add value to the properties.

A letter was sent with new assessments, and a motion was made to exclude residents with existing laterals. Also a new payment plan was approved, feeling that this was a way to work with the residents.

It was also recommended to go ahead with the Audubon Road and Goldfinch Lane project. There were a number of people who wanted to know about sewer laterals. Each property would be looked at to save costs; but if the laterals don’t meet village codes, they will have to be replaced. The committee will take a look at the issue.

The village has come to an agreement with Dave Zelm of Prestige Builders. Zelm will have to get repairs done to the asphalt and have the second layer of asphalt applied by October. It was also agreed that he would not be assessed extra for lots under a half-acre and pay the original overall assessment as agreed in a contingency letter.

Binversie also said that the 2010 budget would be affected whether or not the State 32 and State 42 roadwork is started in 2010.

The village will invite Larry’s Hauling to the next meeting to discuss the previous fuel surcharge that was added after its contract was signed and make some adjustments.

Finance Committee also discussed budget reductions, including employee compensations, electronic sewer bill payments, maintenance of monies in separate funds and payroll expenditures.

Board members also discussed streetlight on Beachtree Road and parks agreement with the Athletic Association and Millersville Recreation Department.

Scheiber also said that he would like to see improvements in the village’s Web site.