OCTOBER 2004

October, 2004

LEAF PICKUP:

It is once again leaf season and the Village asks for your cooperation in the gathering of leaves. As in the past, please do not rake your leaves into the gutter or street but rather leave them near the edge of the roadway. Also do not place sticks, brush, or grass clippings in with your leaves…these items should be placed in the Maharg Yard Waste Bags that are available at local stores. Based on weather and availability, the Street Dept. will be going around regularly beginning in early October to gather leaves, thus calls to the Village office are not necessary as we will get to them at our earliest opportunity.

TREE & SHRUB TRIMMING:

We have been receiving complaints regarding trees and shrubs that hang down over the sidewalks, streets or alleys. As previously stated, all trees and shrubs must be trimmed as to allow 10’ of clearance at curb or road side. Those hanging out over the sidewalk must be maintained to allow for pedestrian passage without interference. Please take this opportunity to check your property and complete any trimming needed. Village workers will be around beginning after November 1^st to trim any trees or shrubs that still need trimmed back

NOTE FROM POLICE DEPARTMENT:

The Fort Recovery Police Department would like to let all residents of the Village know that there has been a change in the parking in front of Thien Snipps Barber Shop located on Butler Street just east of Fort Site Street. The first parking space located on the north side of Butler Street east of Fort Site Street has been eliminated. The second space on the north side has been relocated back to the east several feet. The parking spaces are clearly marked for your convenience. We are striving to increase a driver’s site distance at this intersection to reduce the number of traffic crashes that have occurred over the last five years. We ask for your cooperation when parking in this area.

Also, please be sure to speak with your children about riding their bicycle safely and responsibly. We continue to receive numerous reports of children not obeying the traffic laws, especially those riding through stop signs or crossing the streets without yielding to oncoming traffic. It is very important that they understand the responsibility involved in riding on streets with automobile traffic and that they use proper procedures and caution. We will continue to monitor and assist in this area by speaking with children at every opportunity.

UPCOMING ELECTION DAY:

This November’s ballot, while having plenty to vote on , does not contain any elected officials within the Village of Fort Recovery . The Village does though have on the ballot for your consideration the replacement of an existing 5 year, 2.5 mill tax levy

for the purpose of storm water control expenses. This was put on the levy back in 1994 when we were experiencing many flooding problems within the village. These funds have been put to use in completing many projects that included water detention basins, separation of sewer systems and the addition of increased storm drainage in various areas around the Village. While many great strides in all these areas have been made, we are now beginning the steps necessary to complete the sewer system separation project. This will be a large and costly project but one that is necessary both in making our systems more efficient and as required by the EPA. There will be much more news on this in the upcoming months. Your support is requested in allowing us the funds necessary to complete various storm water projects and providing necessary start-up monies for larger projects over the next few years. We appreciate your past support and ask for your continued support for the Fort Recovery community. Please vote “yes” on November 2^nd.

The work has been recently completed on the Harrison / Milligan Street Sidewalk project. B&L Construction did a great job on the cement work and Jerry and Paul installed the new street lamps. Things look great, with only some dirt work and seeding yet to be completed (waiting on rain!).

Work also continues on the replacement of utilities on Gwendolyn Street – W. Center Street. We are currently working on the water line replacement with the hopes to complete the sanitary sewer work this fall/winter. The final stage will then be the sidewalks, curbs and street scheduled for next spring/summer. We have also applied for a State grant to complete the sidewalks, curbs and street work on George Street and Hickory Circle. We should know the status of this request early next year. We also will continue to monitor streets for necessary improvements and work to capitalize on any grant funding that may be available.

As we prepare for the large upcoming sewer separation project, it may be necessary for the Village to complete an income survey of our residents in order for us to qualify for many different types of federal and state grants. We are working with those agencies now to see if an income survey will be necessary, and if so, we will be working to complete this survey. As in the past, this information is totally confidential and will be collected by an independent third party that will only provide total results and not individual numbers. If this becomes necessary, we certainly would request your cooperation so that we may apply for the different grants to help offset the large costs of the projects.

Mayor Broerman, the Fort Recovery Park Board and the Village Administration would like to take this opportunity to thank the many businesses and individuals who made the ball diamond lighting project a success this summer. As always the support was fantastic and the project is a huge success. If you haven’t had the chance, take a moment and view Community Park this fall. Many improvements were made, again thanks to some fantastic donors, and the result is a safer and great looking facility for the Fort Recovery Community. A permanent donor board will be installed thanking all those who played a part in these great improvements. Thanks again.

In trying to get the word out to local people, the school has asked me to list an opening they have for the position of Assistant to the Treasurer. This position is a 12 month contract and applicants should have demonstrated computer skills with Microsoft Word and Excel along with an Associates Degree in Accounting or the equivalent in related work experience. Anyone interested should send a cover letter and resume no later than 10-12-04 to Dennis Ontrop, Treasurer, Fort Recovery Local Schools, PO Box 604, Fort Recovery, OH 45846.

As always we welcome your input and invite you to our Council meetings on the first and third Mondays of each month, 7:30 p.m. in the Village Hall. If you have any specific concerns or questions, feel free to contact Randy, Mayor Broerman or any of the Council Members.