Tuesday, October 25th, 2016
Coldwater council OKs land buy
Cost almost $500K
By Georgia Rindler
COLDWATER - Village council members at Monday's meeting approved buying 30.244 acres of land for $485,000.
The property owned by William J. Kramer and Murph Knapke lies adjacent to the village's southern border and will become open green space. Village officials have secured a $50,000 Nature's Work Grant and a $310,400 Clean Ohio Grant to help pay for the purchase. A land acquisition note will cover $69,600 and the remaining $55,000 will be paid from the Boost the Park Fund.
The purchase would protect the village's existing water wells and secure ground for future well sites, provide additional storm water detention areas and provide for future recreation and green space areas, village officials said.
Mayor Joe Knapschaefer thanked council members for their work.
"You have done a service to Coldwater. This will be important for Coldwater," he said. "We are providing significant park land for the kids of Coldwater in the future."
Village administrator/engineer Eric Thomas told council members the Coldwater Exempted Village School District will dedicate two triangular tracts of ground to the village for public right-of-way. These are located on the west side of the intersection of West Vine Street and North Second Street.
Village officials will apply for an Ohio Department of Transportation enhancement grant to assist with the cost of installing new signals at the site. Thomas said the intent is for the intersection to look like downtown with a new controller and LED lights. The controller box and one of the poles are currently on school property and need to be on a public right-of-way.
Thomas also notified members that Mercer County Emergency Management Agency will meet with village officials at 4 p.m. Oct. 27. They will discuss procedures to take in the event of a disaster. He said members are welcome to attend if they can.
Thomas reported high winds have knocked down some limbs and village crews will remove them. The final scheduled limb pickup will be Nov. 7.
The Halloween Parade, sponsored by the VFW, will be at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 30. It will begin at the pool parking lot. Trick or treat will follow from 2-4 p.m.
Councilman Ralph Schwieterman reminded council members of the public transportation meeting set for 7:30 p.m. Monday. Members will discuss relocating the center line and eliminating parking on South Second Street. The changes would start at the alley just south of the Eagles lodge and run to the southern corporation line. Council members would like public input before deciding. The meeting will be held in council chambers.
Councilman Don Ahrens asked if Thomas has received information on the cost of adding a green turn arrow to the stoplight at the intersection of East Main Street and Terrace Avenue. Eastbound cars attempting to turn left can have a long wait.
Thomas has contacted Koester Electric officials and they are looking into the wiring and what would need to be done, but he does not have any prices yet.
Council members also learned,
• the restrooms at the park soon will be closed for the season.
• leaf pickup has begun and will continue through November.
• the new pump for the main sewage lift station has been installed.
• the Christmas Open House sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce will be Nov. 20.
