Canal Fulton OKs loan agreement for properties in historic district

The Repository
·3 min read

Canal Fulton City Council

Tuesday meeting

KEY ACTION: Approved a loan agreement to improve properties in the city’s historic district.

DISCUSSION: Earlier this year, the city enacted the Historic District Community Improvement Loan Program to provide interest-free loans to both residential and commercial property owners in the historic district to make exterior improvements to their properties. Property owners can receive a loan of up to $3,600. Loans will be available until all of the $20,000 allocated for the program has been disbursed. Only one loan is permitted per water bill and must be repaid in monthly installments of $100 until the loan is paid in full. Improvements must begin within 45 days of funding or the loan must be repaid immediately. Loan agreements are available at City Hall.

More Canal Fulton news:City Council approves easement for wheelchair ramp

More Canal Fulton news:City swears in first female police chief

OTHER ACTION:

  • Discussed a sample ordinance for garbage and rubbish collection and disposal. The ordinance addresses how property owners are to dispose of their trash. In an effort to reduce the number of days that trash cans are set at the street, all residential haulers must collect trash on Wednesdays between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. In addition, trash haulers must acquire a permit from City Hall and pay an annual fee of $100 per vehicle operating in the city.

  • Heard that the 30-year-old St. Helena III canal boat has serious problems with taking on water. A rubberized coating that was applied to the concrete hull earlier this year has not held up and the boat has been in dry dock since May. Options to repair or replace the boat are being considered. The boat will sail for one weekend in October as part of the Haunting on the Canal event.

  • Police Chief Sarah Wilson advised council and residents to be cautious about guarding their finances and identities, because there has been and uptick in financial crimes and identity fraud through phone calls, email, text messages, and social media.

  • Heard that the Ohio Department of Transportation will begin milling state Route 93 through the city this week.

  • Heard that 2022 year-to-date income tax collections are 15% higher than they were last year. This year’s collections are $1,937,646 compared to $1,679,885 last year.

  • Authorized Parks Director Chris Bundy to apply for a $90,000 playground grant. The matching grant would require the city to pay $45,000 toward the project.

  • Heard that 113 Northwest High School seniors will participate in the city’s Day of Caring on Aug. 26. Students must do two community service projects during their senior year in high school to graduate.

  • Approved a 2022 contract with Massillon for its Police Department to transport prisoners from jail to court and back to jail for $150 a person.

  • Heard that 2023’s Olde Canal Days Festival will be held July 6-8.

  • Scheduled a work session to discuss the 2023 budget for 6 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Safety Center.

UP NEXT: Will meet at 6 p.m. Sept. 6 at the Safety Center. The meeting will begin with a work session.

Joan Porter

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canal Fulton approves loan agreement for historic district properties