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.
