FORT LORAMIE — Fort Loramie residents will have to keep their properties “up to code” following action by the village council during its regular meeting, March 13.
The council passed an ordinance establishing minimum standards for the maintenance of exterior surfaces and exterior functioning units of all structures within the village.
The ordinance requires residents to keep exterior surfaces in good repair:
Walls must be covered with paint or some other coating that prevents decay and deterioration. Any deteriorated or decayed exterior walls, doors, porches, floors, steps, railing or parts or features thereof, must be repaired, replaced or removed. Any damaged or broken windows, screens, or shutters, and deteriorated or decayed sills, sashes, moldings, lintels, frames or trim must be repaired or replaced. Foundations must be maintained to prevent damage to the structural integrity of the buildings. Roofs must be weathertight and missing shingles, replaced. Gutters and downspouts must be free of rust.
Yards must be kept free of debris, discarded furniture, rugs, dilapidated vehicles, abandoned machinery and anything creating a fire or health hazard. Grass and weeds must be cut and lots must have appropriate ground cover to prevent erosion. Broken or rusted fences must be repaired.
Holes and cracks in pavements or ground surface must be repaired and structures must be kept free of infestations of rodents and insects.
The ordinance spells out how it will be enforced and what fines might be levied. A copy is available in the village offices.
In other business, the council:
• Gave the first reading of an ordinance approving special purpose flood damage reduction, a move that is required by flood insurance issuers.
• Set a plan for the closure of Main Street, necessary to complete the street resurfacing and curb replacement project. Main Street will be closed from Enterprise Drive to Greenback Road for 30 days, beginning April 24, and from Greenback Road to Park Street for 75 days, beginning July 10.
• The council heard from Carson Moore about banners honoring veterans that would be installed in the downtown area as an Eagle Scout project. They agreed that he should proceed with his plans. He will work with the American Legion to identify veterans’ families.
• Discussed the possibility of establishing a curfew in the village to curb “juveniles running rampant in the town,” as a resident reported.
• Approved a plan to hire a firm at a cost of $2,500 to survey all the village streets to assess their condition and note repairs that are needed.
• Heard that Garmann and Miller representatives had presented the firm’s conceptual plans for Redskin Park and a quote to develop construction plans for a concession stand to the park committee. The committee reported that it had decided to get another quote from a different architect.
• Decided that village residents could play pickle ball on the tennis courts in the park.
• Heard a report by Village Administrator Tony Schmitmeyer that he signed a contract for electric aggregation at a rate of 5.29 cents per kilowatt hour. This rate will be in effect from April 2019 to April 2020.
Council special session
The Fort Loramie Village Council met in special session March 28 to consider requests by Wayne Trail Technologies.
The council voted to approve a resolution authorizing Mayor Randy Ahlers to enter into an enterprise zone agreement with the company.
The council also voted to suspend the three-reading rule for ordinances and then appproved a municipal job creation tax credit agreement with Wayne Trail Technologies Inc.
