West Unity’s Village Administrator Ric Beals informed Council during their regular meeting that curbside recycling will become available to interested residents effective April 5. As originally reported the service will be made available through Republic Services. However, the cost of the service is lower than was originally expected, costing $17.25 per quarterly billing period. Republic Services will be delivering containers on March 26 for residents whom have signed up for the service. The 96 gallon containers are blue with a yellow lid which denotes that the container is for recyclable materials. Any recyclable product can be placed in the container with no need for separation. Pick up will be every two weeks. Participation in the services is optional for all residents. Those who are interested will need to fill out a registration form available at Town Hall. [emember_protected custom_msg=”Full content protected for online subscribers. Purchase a one week subscription from the top menu bar for just $1.99 to read all online content (full access). Longer subscription plans are also available. Subscriptions cover our costs to attend local events; bringing forth Hometown News Coverage to our communities.”]
Beals also reported that village employees are in the process of building an interview room for the Police Department in the back garage bay, that the sewage lift station on S. Liberty Street will be refurbished beginning on March 26, and that the demolition contract for the property on S. Defiance Street has been awarded to Armstrong Excavating out of Fayette. Demolition should begin soon. The purchase of a new Gravely mower for the Village was also reported. The mower was purchased from B&G Equipment for $13,400. It has not yet been decided whether the Village will keep or sell the old mower.
As has been every year since 1986, West Unity has been named a Tree City USA town. Village officials will be accepting the award in Whitehouse, Ohio on April 18. In keeping of this tradition and commitment, Beals also reported that he has ordered 51 trees through the Arbor Day Foundation and Farrell’s in Bryan at a cost of just over $3000. This is considerably less than the cost of nearly $4000 spent in 2012 for 30 trees. It is Beals’s hope that they will be able to plant at least one tree for every tree the Village cut down over the last year.
Beals also commented that he sent letters to Governor Kasich, Representative Amstutz, Senator Hite, Congressman Latta, Williams County Commissioners, and the Ohio Turnpike Commission regarding the proposed turnpike exit for U.S. Highway 127. As of yet he has received no responses.
Mayor Peggy Bernath also reported that she has been informed that Quadco is starting a new program called The Ride. Through this program handicap accessible vans will be available for transportation for a variety of reasons. Anyone wishing to obtain more information can stop by Town Hall for a pamphlet.
Multiple council members also reported that they have received a great deal of positive feedback about the SRO agreement made with Millcreek-West Unity Schools and that there is little doubt that the Village and school district made the right decisions in ensuring student safety.
The first reading of Resolution 04-2013-02, a resolution strongly opposing House Bill 5 was also heard during the meeting. The House Bill would dramatically change the way income tax is collected and could likely have numerous negative consequences for the Village. West Unity is among many villages opposing the bill.
Those interested in attending the March 28 Council meeting should note that the time has been changed form 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. so that those wishing to can attend Maundy Thursday church services.[/emember_protected]
Chelsie Firestone can be reached at
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