Coldwater passes dumpster rule, annexes 30 acres

COLDWATER - Coldwater village councilors passed an ordinance on its final reading revising the prohibition of items located in a right-of-way.

The ordinance will allow dumpsters and PODs to be placed on the street with permission from the village. Failure to receive permission will still be a violation of the ordinance and a minor misdemeanor.

The transportation committee recommended the change since not all residents and businesses have a driveway in which to place a dumpster or POD. The ordinance defines a dumpster as "any roll-off container used for the collection of garbage and debris, which, when transported, is transported by way of a truck equipped with an industrial roll-off hoist." A POD is any portable storage unit.

Finance director Jason Eyink reported the village will receive an Ohio Public Works Commission grant through the small government grant program.

The grant is for $500,000 and includes a 30-year loan for up to $500,000 at zero percent interest. Eyink said the money will be used for the South Second Street project.

Council met in executive session for 10 minutes to discuss personnel. Afterward council members gave first reading of a pay ordinance. Eyink said when the additional 0.5% income tax levy was passed last November village officials determined the increased income would be used for street work, improvements at Memorial Park, and to bring up wage levels to that of local communities.

"That's the reason we're doing this pay ordinance," he added.

In other action, councilors suspended the three-reading rule and passed as an emergency an ordinance authorizing the annexation of 30.583 acres of land to the village of Coldwater.

The property is located southwest of Coldwater, adjacent to the corporation and next to the Coldwater Nature Preserve off Burkettsville-St. Henry Road. Councilors approved the land purchase in February from Mary Ann Diller at a cost of $1.02 million. The land will be used for future development and will be zoned commercial and/or industrial.

Also under emergency, councilors approved a resolution to adopt the solid waste management plan update for the Mercer County Solid Waste Management District. The village of Coldwater is part of the solid waste program for the county.

Village administrator/engineer Eric Thomas shared a letter concerning the plan at the last village council meeting.

"This is their plan to move forward. That was the plan for when the dump closed to generate funds by using tipping fees as opposed to any property tax," he said. "I think years ago that's what we recommended they do. It's finally coming to that point."

Councilors kept tabled the third reading of an ordinance accepting the final plat of Wenning Acres Sub division section seven. The final reading will be held after transfer of the detention area and the electric is installed. The section is about 13.932 acres of land situated west of North Second Street in Wenning Acres.

Thomas reported students from Coldwater Elementary picked up sticks and stones at Memorial Park last week. "They did a nice job," he said.

Also on Monday, council learned:

• The pickleball courts have been paved. Painting is planned for the first week in June and courts should be ready to use approximately two weeks later.

• Taste of the Town is June 10 on Elm Street by the Depot at the park.

• Bicycle Safety program is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 18 at the municipal building parking lot.

• Splash pad dedication is at 1 p.m. May 17 near the pool in the park.

Coldwater Village Council meets next at 7 p.m. May 27 at the village hall.