Chickasaw full-steam ahead on projects

CHICKASAW - Village councilors have closed the books on a pair of water and storm sewer infrastructure projects and are now setting their sights on a potential street reconstruction which would benefit from a $62,000 state grant.

Councilors at their regular meeting this week voted to accept as completed the installation of a second water line from the water treatment plant in the Marion Industrial Park back to the village.

The project, which completes a loop in the water system, was financed with $150,000 in COVID relief funds from Mercer County commissioners and a $208,000 state grant.

It was undertaken to improve the water quality and reliability of the water system     "It's amazing what's happened out there in that Marion Industrial Park," mayor Ben Kramer had said ahead of the project. "This water line that we're after is kind of like the last piece of the puzzle in terms of the infrastructure."

Fenson Contracting of Fort Jennings was awarded a $306,735 contract last year for the work. Excess funds from project were used to replace a storm sewer line and pave an alley parallel to State Route 274. Craig Knapke of Access Engineering said that work also has been completed.

Councilors approved a $89,043 payment to Fenson for the storm sewer and water line projects. They also signed off on a $8,475 payment to Access Engineering for services related to the projects.

Knapke advised councilors that the village is expected to receive a $62,000 Ohio Public Works Commission grant which can be spent on capital improvements. He said a grant application must be submitted October, with the funds to be available in July 2025.

Chickasaw could file a joint application with the village of St. Henry, he said.

Councilors then directed Knapke to proceed with the grant application.

Knapke outlined possible street projects which could be undertaken in the future with grant funds and money from the village budget. Councilors agreed that Catholic Street is in poor condition and should be the top priority. The street would be reconstructed from Maple Street to Mulberry Street.

"Catholic Street is the worst of the bunch," said village works coordinator Kevin Droesch.

Knapke estimated the cost of reconstructing Catholic Street at $105,000, saying the project would likely be bid out in July 2025 with a spring 2026 completion date.

Other streets singled out by council's capital improvements committee for future work were Center and Mill streets. Knapke estimated the Center Street project at $50,000 and the Mill Street project at $48,000.

Knapke said the village would be in line for other grants in three or four years to help pay for the street improvements.

He also briefed councilors on a meeting with Marion Local school officials about plans to extend water lines about 4,000 feet from the village water plant in the Marion Industrial Park to the school.

Th water line extension is estimated at $1.2 million and will be paid for by the school district, in large part with a $900,000 state grant. The village will not incur costs for the project, which Knapke said will go out for bids next month.

Councilors took no action to meet a deadline to place a 3-mill property tax renewal levy on the November 5 general election ballot. Hence, the levy will expire at the end of the year.

They agreed earlier this year to end the levy, which generates $25,232 annually, because the village income tax has brought in more revenue than expected.

Village fiscal officer Kelley Poeppelman has estimated the village will receive $193,000 this year from the income tax.

Kramer reported the village will receive $71,000 from the state capital improvements budget to improve the Chickasaw Community Park ball diamond and playground. He said the grant will be handled by the Chickasaw Park Board.

Councilors also briefly discussed a possible solar energy project for the village water and sewer treatment plants. Kramer said village officials will meet with Midwest Electric Cooperative officials to determine whether a solar project would be feasible to offset part of the $4,000 monthly electric bill for the utility departments.

Councilors voted to approve the vacation of an undeveloped alley parallel to Mulberry Street. The alley vacation was sought by Shawn Clune, who is seeking to buy a house in the area and said the bank is requiring the issue be clarified. Kramer noted none of the property owners in the area objected to vacating the alley.

Council meets next at 8 p.m. Aug. 14 at village hall.