By Sandy Rose Schwieterman
For the Sidney Daily News
MINSTER — Minster village council met Tuesday, April 16 to approve a number of ordinances that would pave streets, vacate alleys, and add signage. Also, council agreed to increase payments to seasonal employees and mutual aid employees.
Approved was a second reading of an ordinance vacating a portion of an alley south of Sixth Street and between Jefferson Street and Hamilton Street within the village of Minster. This move is in anticipation of development of housing in the area.
An ordinance to establish a four way stop at the intersections of Third Street and Garfield Streets and at the intersection of Seventh Street and Hamilton Street within the village had its first reading.
An ordinance to remove Seventh Street from the list of truck routes within the village had its first reading.
An increase in part time payment for seasonal employees is in the works, with approval of a first reading of an ordinance to increase hourly pay from minimum wage to $14.
An increase in the pay rate of village employees during mutual aid responses is being considered, which those employees who perform mutual aid duties would see their pay increased from 1 ½ to 2 times the normal rate. The measure had its first reading that night. Affected are electrical department employees who assist neighboring communities with restoration of power during severe weather as part of the AMP Ohio Mutual Aid Response program.
Council approved a motion to seek bids for the 2024 Minor Street Resurfacing Program which is estimated will cost $474,000.
Finally, approved was a third and final reading of an ordinance adopting an investment policy for the village of Minster, Ohio.
The council approved the March 2024 Income Tax Report, as submitted by the city of St. Marys. The total was $424,000 for the month, for a total of $1,017,000 since the first of the year, which Don Harrod, the village administrator said is the highest amount of income taxes collected in the first three months of the year in the village’s history.
In his report to council, Harrod said crews from DWA and Gametime have completed installing the rubber surface under the new playground equipment at Paris Street Park. In addition, Homan and Stucke are nearly complete with pouring concrete sidewalks so that the playground is accessible.
Wet weather has delayed Moody’s finishing up the two new wells for the TDS Dilution Project. Moody’s are expected back in on the 22nd of April to continue to work on the wells.
Fenson Contracting has moved back in the village to continue to complete work on both Sixth Street and West Seventh Street. Fenson is beginning to dig out Sixth Street for curb and gutter at this time.
Finally, Harrod said the county commissioners held a meeting on April 9 to discuss the possibility of dredging the canal, showing communities a concept plan of what the canal could look like if it was dredged. The commissioners envision dredging the canal from county line to county line. They are asking for support in asking ODNR and the State for funding to do the work.Harrod said all communities and townships were supportive of the effort to make the canal more into a recreational facility.
Approved receipts of $4,093.17 and invoices: $ 722,109.79
They adjourned to executive session to discuss the acquisition of land. No announcements were made when they returned to regular session.
The writer is a regular contributor to the Sidney Daily News.
