Loudonville Village Council seeks state funding for infrastructure improvement effort

LOUDONVILLE ‒ Village Council will ask the state to fund 50% of a $730,000 infrastructure improvement project in the North Adams-East Haskell Street neighborhood.

Officials applied for a 60% grant for the effort last year but were turned down.

Village Administrator Garret DeWitt said reducing the grant request through the Ohio Public Works Commission may increase the chances of approval.

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The estimated cost of the project, provided by Ronny Portz of Engineering Associates, represents an increase of $137,000 over the 2021 estimate.

“We’ll be getting a three-quarters of a million-dollar project done at half price,” if the grant is approved, said Mayor Jason VanSickle.

If approved, the village would use money from several funds since the project covers different aspects of village operations. Estimated amounts in the project from departmental funds provided by Fiscal Officer Elaine Van Horn include $305,350 (42% of the total project) from the street improvement fund; $380,970 (52%) from the water fund; and $45,680 (6%) from the storm sewer fund.

Council, with member Tom Young absent on Tuesday, unanimously approved making the 50% grant application.

New park benches coming to Central and Riverside parks

Dewitt said maintenance crews will build concrete pads in both Central and Riverside parks to mount 16 new park benches purchased for the village by the Hugo and Mabel Young Foundation.

“We should have this work done before the Oct. 4-9 Loudonville Free Street Fair,” Dewitt said.

After the fair, work crews will grade and spread new gravel in the village-owned parking lot on North Water Street adjacent to the Loudonville Fair Building.

“We are fortunate to have our work crews able to accomplish projects like this,” Dewitt said. “While we may not get the work done as quickly as an outside contractor, we can get things like this done for much less money when our crews do it.”

He also praised the water department for passing a recent Environmental Protection Agency inspection of the water plant with no violations.

“This marks the fourth or fifth straight year we have passed EPA inspections with no violation,” he said. “A tribute to our water department workers.”

Progress made on Loudonville pickleball courts

Council approved its annual agreement with the Loudonville Fair Board for use of streets and parks during the upcoming fair. Law Director Thom Gilman said one change in fair setup, necessitated by worker shortages, means fair tents on South Wood, South Brentwood, and South Market Street will be put up the Friday before the fair rather than over the weekend.

Previously only the livestock tents on South Market Street were set up on Fridays.

Council took two steps in an ongoing effort to have pickleball courts built in the swimming pool/park complex. The pickleball committee can put up a sign at the pool complex advertising that the area is the future site of courts.

Councilman Matt Young, who said he has been impressed with the work of the pickleball committee, said he would pay to have the signs made.

Dewitt said he would work with the committee to have village crews assist in preparing the existing basketball court at the pool to serve as temporary pickleball courts.

“Once people see people playing pickleball out there, I think the project will take off,” Committee Member Skip Stitzlein said.

The committee is also seeking funds, both through grants and fundraising, to have the courts built.

Council approved its annual appropriations ordinance, and heard second reading of an ordinance, to narrow Humm Avenue east of North Market Street.

Wendy Zody, who lives on Humm Avenue in the impacted area, asked council for guidance on maintenance of trees along the street. Gilman said the trees were on her property, rather than the village land, and she was free to take care of them as she sees fit.

Council approved a $250 donation to the Mohican 5K event scheduled for Nov. 5. The annual race generates funds for the maintenance of the bike path that connects downtown Loudonville with the Mohican State Park Class A Campground on State Route 3 south.

The mayor issued a certificate of appreciation for in-kind work Loudon Post 257 of the American Legion did erecting a flag pole at the Civil War monument in the Loudonville Cemetery.

VanSickle also reported a close friend and classmate in the Loudonville High Class of 1992, Shawn Disbennett, retired after 30 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps. In his career Disbennett was deployed six times, four to combat situations, and earned his master gunnery sergeant promotion on the battlefield. He also earned both a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

“I will make a formal recognition of Shawn when he returns to Loudonville sometime this fall,” VanSickle said.

Council granted excused absences for Councilman Bill Huffman, who will miss both the Sept. 19 and Oct. 3 meetings due to family obligations.

UP NEXT: Council will meet Monday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. in council chambers, 156 N. Water St., upstairs. Chambers are handicapped accessible through the fire escape entrance at the rear of the building.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Loudonville Council to seek state funding for infrastructure project