By: Jacob Kessler
The Metamora Village Council held their meeting on Monday, August 1st. The meeting began at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council first moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting as well as the list of bills as presented. Conversations then shifted to discuss items listed under old business.
An update was given regarding a previous sewer credit for an address on Garnsey Avenue. Council agreed to issue a sewer credit.
Discussions then followed regarding the changing of a Village Ordinance. Residents who do not have a second meter would need to go through the county should they request a sewer credit when filling up a pool. Attorney Whitlock will be contacted to draft the ordinance.
Smoke testing was completed by CT Consultants on July 25th and 26th. The report with findings should be submitted to the village by the end of September.
Buckeye Pumps came to install the new pump that the village planned to purchase for the east lift station on July 26th.
The Village of Swanton assisted by pumping out the entire lift station. It was determined that the lift station was “poorly designed”. The bottom of the lift station is not flat, has a ridge in the middle of it causing the pumps to not seat properly.
This causes one of the pumps to fall over, but not completely over. When this happens, the pump does not push enough pressure through to get the switch to open the valves to let the stuff out, which is causing the back-ups.
The pumps can be running constantly but not pushing any sewer through and then the valves close so then it’s filling up. The solution is to re-do the lift station, opening up the bottom of the pit larger and possibly doing some upgrades to the rails, pumps, fans, etc.
Buckeye Pumps will be preparing a quote for repairs, replacements, upgrades and prioritize what needs done. The new pump was therefore not installed.
Council is to review the proposed quote once submitted by Buckeye Pumps. A discussion then took place regarding a possible rise in sewer rate costs.
The village will look into what has been brought into the village for sewer revenue and what has been taken out.
The last increase was for 5% not to be increased for at least 2 years. It was stated that discussion for this will continue and that, if an increase takes place, it would be for early in 2023.
A sales rep contacted the office in regard to Christmas decorations and if the village would like to order more. A suggestion was made to look at pricing some additional wreaths to add to the two garland banners that go across East Main Street and Maple Street.
A quote was obtained from Ward Construction for tar and chipping. The quote included work for Park Street/Memorial Drive, Meadow Lane, Church, Oak, Elm, Ash and Pine Street.
A motion was made to tar and chip Park Street and Meadow Lane. The motion also included an increase in expense line B1-6-B-255 for the appropriate amount needed.
Council then moved to pass Ordinance 2022-10 amending the 1st and 2nd quarter appropriations for 2022 and declaring an Emergency. Letters were mailed out to eight addresses regarding zoning related issues.
Most addresses had complied by the meeting. The new Ex-Mark mower was picked up from Bill’s Service, Inc. with the final price being $640 higher than the original quote. A jack mount was also purchased at the time of pickup.
Questions have been asked by two upcoming rental parties regarding the use of alcohol at the park for a graduation party and on a separate occasion, a bouncy house for a birthday party.
Park rules indicate “no alcohol” and council denied allowing the bouncy house due to risk of liability.
Leasing the park, paying the higher lease fee and obtaining liability licenses fall under the separate park lease for the higher rental fee but not under the simplified park shelter rental agreement.
Letters were also mailed out to the families who have purchased nameplates for the memorial wall since COVID hit and no dedication ceremony has taken place since 2019.
The letters indicate that the village hopes to incorporate the memorial ceremony at next year’s chamber event. As of the meeting, there was no update on when the boil advisory would be lifted.
Monday morning a water sample was being taken for testing by the county.
With no further business to attend to, council moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:32 p.m.
Jacob can be reached at jacob@thevillagereporter.com