Bellville Council meeting Tuesday focused on prioritizing future water repair and improvement projects and heard a public plea to consider monitoring water work.
The regular meeting was preceded by a special committee meeting where council members and department heads gathered to discuss project matters. Discussion of the Water Distribution System Project began with recommended improvements.
“The goal may be to merge as many projects together as possible, making it affordable and possibly receiving more funding to aid in the cost,” Brian McCartney, president of K.E.McCartney in Mansfield, suggested to council. Village Administrator Chuck Pscholka informed council that bids concerning the water & waste improvements had to be submitted by October and the village was eligible for one last round of OWDA funding. He also added the estimated cost to be $740,000 and the village may consider looking into loans to cover the cost.
Discussion included increasing hydrant flow for the village as part of the Phase 1A of the water distribution improvement projects. KEM project manager Rick Greenwood commented,”Most of the village would greatly benefit from it.” He added that by doing the recommended improvements the current fire flow of 500 gallons would be increased to 1000 to 1500 gallons or more. Greenwood stated he believed they could do the improvements and keep the project within the available funds.
“We need to prioritize,” said Mayor Darrell banks and he urged the council members to consider all projects, their cost and necessity along with the grant availability. Following the discussions, council transitioned to their regular meeting session.
During that session, village resident Chuck Pfoutz and neighbor Jennifer Hamilton attended to follow up on discussion regarding a matter of flooding occurring on Kelly Avenue. The concern had been introduced by Pfoutz at a previous council meeting. Pfoutz addressed the council members by referring to a memo he had drawn up and submitted prior to the meeting in which he detailed his concerns as an ongoing problem. Pfoutz stated the current condition of Kelly Avenue was not conducive to properly directing heavy rain fall.
“The water has to go someplace,” said Pfoutz. He added that the two catch basins currently present at the end of Kelly Avenue were, in his opinion,”absolutely worthless.”
Jennifer Hamilton addressed the council by commenting,”I just don’t want it to keep happening.”
Both Pfoutz and Hamilton explained the goal was to bring the matter to the attention of council in hopes that some action may be considered to at least take preventative measures with village work in the future.
“The grade of the the street is very important,” said Pfoutz. He added that it was his belief the problem could be greatly reduced if not completely eradicated by simply monitoring the work done in regards to water/sewer and street projects.
“Make sure they do their job properly,” Pfoutz said.
Hamilton passed around photos she had taken representing the flooding on her property due to the conditions on Kelly Avenue. As the council members observed the photos mayor Banks remarked,”I know exactly what you are talking about.” Banks moved to take action on the matter stating, ”We are gonna look into it.”
