DANVILLE — Buildings, bridges and taxes were discussed by the Danville Village Council on Monday.
Council first heard a proposal from Doug McElwee of D&K Construction on building a dollar store on the south edge of town, next to Dale’s Cardinal Market.
McElwee has a contract to purchase the land just outside the village on U.S. 62, but first wanted to make sure he could get village water and sewer to the 1 3/4-acre property. McElwee’s plans include an 8,000-square-foot building that would house a dollar store and employ about 10 people. Council and village administrator Robert Shipley discussed the possibilities available to McElwee, including hooking into lines at the market or off Flat Run Road near Subway.
Danville Mayor Bob Dile noted that the village is under a mandate from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency that will not allow any new sewer connections. Dile said the village is trying to get the problem resolved with the treatment plant, and is more than two-thirds completed, but that it would tentatively be 2009 before the mandate would be lifted.
Since his contract for the land expires in 90 days, McElwee asked for a letter from the village stating that it would be a few months before sewer and water could be available. That way, he could extend the deadline on the contract, if needed.
In his report later in the meeting, Shipley noted the state government has increased the money available for infrastructure projects, and said this might be a good time to check into replacing the bridge on Richards Street. The bridge would cost between $200,000 and $250,000, but the village would be responsible for just 10 percent of that cost.
Dile noted the village does not have the $25,000 for its portion, and it should check into several options to raise that money.
Council gave a second reading to a resolution declaring it necessary to levy a tax in excess of the village’s 10-mill limitation. The resolution states that the current 10 mills is insufficient for the village; the additional money is needed for the police department.
In order for the Knox County Board of Elections to begin preparing for the November election, council also passed an ordinance submitting a levy of an additional 0.50 percent to the village income tax, proceeds from which will be used for the police fund.
In other news, council passed a motion appropriating $7,000 to $8,000 from the sewer fund to be used to pay GroundWater Science for its help in proving the village is not putting ammonia in the streams through its lagoon system. Village officials believe the higher levels of ammonia are occurring naturally and GroundWater Science will develop a plan to determine if that is the case.
Councilman Gary Moreland reported there have been instances where residents have placed old couches by the street for the village to pick up and dispose of. Moreland said couches are too big to be picked up.
Dile read a letter from Kim Marshall of the Knox County Parks District which said the Rails to Trails Commission has recognized the Kokosing Gap Trail as having national significance. New signage will be placed at the trail’s heads to recognize this feat.
Dile also reported the village is prepared for this Saturday’s Ohio State Cycling Road Race Championships. The event, which is for youths, amateurs and professionals, kicks off at 11 a.m.
Council adjourned into executive session at 9:24 p.m. to discuss possible litigation. No action was taken.
