Members of the West Unity Village Council along with Mayor Peggy Bernath all expressed their happiness with this year’s Gathering in West Unity festivities. Members of Council spoke of the pleasant weather, good turn-out, and especially of efforts made by village employees who prepared the village for the weekend event. Council member Dave Short noted that it was the best he had seen the town look in a couple of years and credited Street Supervisor Jim Eisel and his staff for the work they had done.
It was a sentiment seconded by Mayor Bernath and West Unity Chamber of Commerce President Alan Bennett as well. Bennett, who sent a letter to Mayor Bernath and Council, expressed his gratitude by saying, “This year, like those before, our groups received the support of the Village Mayor, Village Council, Village Administrator, and the West Unity Police Department. In addition to that support was the dedicated efforts and labor from Jim Eisel and his staff… We especially thank the village for all of its citizens who came out and took part in the 2013 Gathering in Unity Days.” In an earlier portion of Bennett’s letter he had mentioned that the number of people in attendance at the activities was believed to be at as many as 1500 at various times.
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While Council addressed no legislative matters during their last meeting, reports were given by the Village Administrator Ric Beals, Police Chief J.R. Jones, and Village Solicitor Ryan Thompson.
Beals reported that the village’s recent investment in a security camera at Memorial Park paid off almost immediately as the camera captured footage of vandalism that the police department was immediately able to address. Other areas for security cameras, including the at the compost yard, are being considered. Beals also reported that the generator at the turnpike plaza has been converted from propane to natural gas. The village will be accepting sealed bids on the original propane tank, which the village owns, upon appraisal.
Also reported by Beals was that there had been a water break under the building at the Oak Street Fire Protection Plant. While the water line broke under the building and shattered the concrete inside, the village was able to service and repair the line in a fairly reasonable amount of time. The Fire Protection Plant operates the sprinkler systems within the factories along Oak Street. While pressure was lost during the time of the break and during servicing the break, the factories remained in a safe condition with enough pressure to activate the sprinklers if need be. The plant is a joint effort by the village and R&R Properties and it has been decided that the two entities will split the costs of the break and subsequent repairs.
Police Chief J.R. Jones reported to council that he will soon be taking the necessary steps to hire both a part time and auxiliary officer. Village Solicitor Ryan Thompson reported that the last wave of past due tax collection letters has recently gone out and that overall the attempt to collect on past due taxes, through the year 2011, has been a success.
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