All details of Fort annexation finalized

FORT RECOVERY - The paperwork in the annexation dispute between a few landowners and the village is complete.

"The annexation agreement was recorded in the Mercer County Recorder's Office for the settlement," grants administrator Erin Minor said. "The appeal was dismissed by the appellants, and the village dropped its petition from the Mercer County Board of Commissioners. So that litigation has been all wrapped up,"

The legal fight over annexing properties totaling just over 30 acres near state Route 49 and Sharpsburg Road was settled at the end of September after a nearly yearlong dispute. The disagreement began when 10 of the 21 affected property owners appealed the annexation in Mercer County Common Pleas Court.

Terms of the agreement essentially give the opponents 15 years before their property is annexed. The properties could be annexed prior to that time if they are sold or connected to any village utility service. The agreement also allows the building of a proposed housing development on the annexed lots.

Minor said work to annex the properties of the 11 landowners supporting annexation is proceeding.

"We are in the process of getting a few signatures on petitions right now," she reported.

Minor also updated council members on ongoing grant applications. The village is applying for Ohio Criminal Justice Services funds to update the Fort Recovery Police Department computer system, and she is awaiting word on a potential Nature Works grant for new playground equipment.

She also noted the application for an Ohio Public Works Commission grant for work on William Street was submitted a couple of weeks ago, and the village should be notified in the near future.

"The project is not a terribly long street, going back to the football stadium, but it will be relatively costly with sidewalk and curbs installed as well as lighting and some storm sewer work and some paving work. It's going to be more than just a paving project," she said.

Minor said the village is working through details about the tennis and basketball court project with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. That project is slated for summer 2017.

Work on the Paul Staugler Memorial Recreational Trail is wrapping up with the last portion of asphalt scheduled to go down at the end of next week, village administrator Randy Diller said.

Bids are out on two items. The village's 13 acres of farm land is up for lease with bids scheduled to be opened Nov. 2. Bids for the Sharpsburg Road utility extension project will be opened Nov. 3. This work will extend water and sanitary sewer lines down Sharpsburg Road.

"It does two things, really," Diller explained. "It actually creates a loop in our system, which is good for our system. And it will serve the subdivisions that have been created or are in the process of being created on Sharpsburg Road."