Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

Coldwater gets $300,000 to enhance village

Money to pay for lights, walkways, benches, trash cans, other improvements

By Betty Lawrence
COLDWATER - Downtown Coldwater will be getting a more than $300,000 makeover thanks to federal funds.
Council on Monday learned the village received a $316,800 federal transportation enhancement grant issued through the Ohio Department of Transportation. The grant requires a 20 percent match of $70,000, which will come from the village's general fund, village manager-engineer Eric Thomas said.
"I'm thrilled. We've applied for this grant for several years now and have always been turned down before," Thomas said.
The majority of the grant money will be used to replace several street lights. Other improvements will include new walkways, benches, trash cans, handicap ramps and signage.
"If it wasn't for the grant, it would have cost the village about $100,000 to replace these lights," Thomas said. "It's not meat and potatoes, but it sure helps out and will make the downtown look even better."
Work on the project is expected to start in the spring. Transportation committee members will meet at 5 p.m. Monday to discuss implementation of the grant.
Council members agreed to send thank-you cards to the Coldwater American Legion for sponsorship of the new, downtown flags and the Boy Scouts for putting up and taking down the flags for Labor Day weekend.
Council member Jerry Kessen said the flags were impressive and complimented downtown.  
After brief discussion, council members also approved a Volksmarch, a noncompetitive fitness walk, for May 5.
"We were contacted by the group for approval, and they said they don't require a police escort, so we would not have any expense involved," Thomas said.
Also at the meeting, council members:
• Were informed that Hardin Creek has been cleaned near the three-sided concrete culvert and rip-rap has been placed on the creek banks near the discharge area.
• Learned the village's salt bin roof will be extended to allow for winter storage of concrete forms and some equipment.  
• Learned the Coldwater Chamber of Commerce will host the Bi-annual Business Expo in the high school auditorium 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sunday.
• Heard a report on the kickoff meeting for the village's new automatic water metering equipment. The antenna likely will be mounted on the water tower in the middle of the village for accurate readings.
• Slated a finance committee meeting for 5:30 p.m. Monday.
• Adopted Ordinance 1590 that updates the village's codified ordinance.
Additional online stories on this date
Brad Nerderman smiles at the display of American flags erected in front of the Mercer County Detention Facility in his honor.
The 25-year-old St. H [More]
Dairy, poultry farm are doing things right, agriculture organizations say
Perhaps no farmers receive more scrutiny about how they manage their manure than those in the Grand Lake Watershed.
Two such farmers in Auglaize County were honored recently for their conservation practices. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Vehicle will be paid for with income tax voters approved in 2010
CELINA - The Celina Police Department is getting a new cruiser.
City council members on Monday night unanimously authorized the purchase of a 2011
GRAND LAKE - A local effort to raise $100,000 to engineer and design a wetlands restoration project on Grand Lake should start this week.
Lake Deve
CELINA - Council members on Monday night responded to an accusation that they are not representing their ward constituents.
Resident Don Kohnen, a
St. Henry
ST. HENRY - Village officials discovered Monday night how much less the state is giving the town next year.
Ruth Miller, clerk/treasurer for the village, asked the council to approve the ordinance accepting $45,560 in local government funds for 2012, 25 percent less than 2011.
MARIA STEIN - The 2011-2012 school year is off to a good start at Marion Local Schools, although the number of students in grades K-12 continues to decrease.
ST. MARYS - Council members on Monday agreed to annex 32.4 acres of land onto the city's east side.
The property owners, New Community Church of St
CELINA - After knocking one team out of the leaders' perch in Western Buckeye League girls' tennis action last week, Celina looked to take possession of the penthouse all by its lonesome on Monday at the Booster Club Tennis Complex.
CELINA - In an impressive performance, the Lady Bulldogs whitewashed Wapakoneta 5-0 on Monday night in Western Buckeye League girls' soccer action to improve to 7-0-1 this season.
Eldora Speedway is coming to the big screen.
The high-banked, one-half mile clay oval hosted its biggest event of the season this past weekend with the 41st annual World 100, the most prestigious race in all of dirt late model racing.
Local Roundup
Compiled by Ryan Hines and Gary R. Rasberry
Parkway improved to 7-1 after picking up a win over Crestview in four games on Monday night at Panther Gymnasium.
Grand Lake Watershed
A $200,000 federal grant has been obtained to start the Grand Lake St. Marys Watershed On Farm Network and hire a coordinator.
The network primaril