West Liberty Village Council members approved at their March 17 meeting rate increases for water, sewage and trash.
The council approved the raised prices after the third reading of their prospective ordinances, with the new charges in effect May 1.
Dumpster rates will also see an increase of about 3 percent as well.
The council also adopted a price sheet to better define the bulky items that are placed on the curb on trash pick up day. The new list will be published on the village website.
A $50 penalty charge will also be assessed to any cloth furniture or mattress that is not properly covered in plastic.
In other council news, a Spring Clean Up Day for West Liberty residents was set for Saturday, May 9.
A Dumpster for trash and a dumpster for metal will be placed at the West Liberty Lions Park from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Residents may need to show their license to prove residency. The dumpsters are not meant to be used for home demolition refuse.
West Liberty Police Chief Shane Oelker will attend a seminar focusing on how to handle domestic violence disputes and sexual abuse cases – a pertinent need for first responders who must navigate these volatile situations. A donation is funding his attendance at the seminar.
Future grants could make it possible for other members of the department to participate in the sessions as well.
“It would be great if they could try to send someone every year,” Jayne Griffith suggested. “Domestic violence calls are among the most dangerous situations that law enforcement and emergency personnel have to handle.”
Two sewer projects will begin soon to repair areas near Otterbein Green Hills and on Linden and Race streets.
In addition, bidding will open for some design changes to Onion Creek on April 7. A scoring sheet will be used to choose the best bid, including the contractors’ ability to fulfill requirements by the Environmental Protection Agency for this EPA grant-funded project.
A new service truck will be purchased for the village for $40,788. It is a newer Ford F150 with only 16,000 miles. Originally, the village had budgeted $50,000 for the purchase of a new truck, so a bedliner with toolboxes will also be installed.
Medical insurance for village employees was also discussed. The change will save the village $56,000 in premiums alone, while allowing similar coverage and benefits that include HSA cards for participants.
The Columbus Street bridge still awaits a needed easement before its restoration can begin.
The State of Ohio has allocated a $1.2 million grant for the project, but they need the easement from The Heritage Foundation to prove that the bridge belongs to West Liberty. Otherwise, there is no proof that the village owns the bridge.
Though the state has approved their own easement for the bridge over a year and a half ago, they still require one from Heritage to get the funds they will donate.
Negotiations continue to go forward to complete the project, but all plans need to be in place by June 30. The bridge has been closed for 15 years, and after the improvements it will only be used for foot traffic.
The next West Liberty Village Council meeting is 7 p.m. April 21.
