Mount Vernon News

FREDERICKTOWN — Out-of-control groundhogs were on the mind of Fredericktown resident Travis Harmer when he addressed the village council Monday night, expressing concerns about dangers the groundhogs may pose to residents, including his 5-year-old brother.

Harmer told council members he has recently shot at groundhogs on his property that have not retreated into their holes, but rather acted aggressively. Council members promised to look into the matter, and reminded Harmer that discharging a weapon in town is not allowed. Harmer expressed concern that the groundhogs could carry disease and bite his brother.

Mayor Roger Reed, who is also the Knox County Dog Warden, said after council that he would contact Harmer and investigate the problem. Reed said Knox County has never had a problem with rabid groundhogs.

Waiving three readings, council passed ordinance 2008-19 as an emergency. The ordinance changes the traffic patterns of two alleys in the village. Werner Alley between Zent Avenue and Salem Avenue was made one way northbound; Zent Alley was made one way westbound.

The changes were made in response to requests by residents, which included a signed petition presented to council last month. Safety concerns for children riding bicycles in the alleys prompted the requests.

The only bid for advertised paving work in the village was accepted with the passing of Ordinance 2008-20, which also passed as an emergency. Small’s Asphalt Paving Inc. submitted the tonnage bid for $148,048.66. The village has only appropriated $90,000 for the work, so streets will be selected for the paving work according to priority.

A 15-year tax abatement for UMD Automated Systems was passed as an emergency in Ordinance 2008-21. The county commissioners also recently signed a 15-year tax abatement for the company.

According to Village Solicitor Todd Drown, the village will make up the loss of property taxes through increased payroll taxes from the 10 new jobs the company is adding as part of an expansion.

The schools will not lose revenue due to an agreement that causes the company to contribute to the schools the income equal to the abated tax revenue the schools would have benefited.

Ordinance 2008-22, passed as an emergency, allows the village to apply for Ohio Public Works Commission grant money to pay for street improvements at Levering Drive and West Sandusky Street. The improvements would allow for the addition of turning lanes for school buses that turn into the new school campus from the Levering intersection; the new turn lanes increase safety.

Ordinance 2008-23 allows for an application for OPWC grant money for a new water tower. Council members said the new water tower is needed because of population growth in the village, and infrastructure improvements necessary for new area development and industry. The work will cost approximately $1 million.

A public hearing is scheduled before the next village council meeting, Aug. 18, at 7 p.m. to discuss possible changes to the Public Neighborhood District portion of the village zoning ordinance. The planning commission has already held a public hearing, and the commission unanimously recommended further restrictions to PND, which allows for mixed used residency in parts of the village.

Outdoor woodburning furnaces were discussed at council again. Drown gave council members copies of pending Ohio Administrative Code, which reflects regulations developed by the EPA. Council agreed to read over the material and discuss the matter at a future meeting. The EPA regulations make a legislated ban of the devices within the village likely according to Drown.

Village Administrator Gary Gallogly told council a recent water main break on College Street developed from a unique situation. Gallogly said the pipe, which dated from 1905, had corroded from the outside, rather from the usual inside-out scenario.

Gallogly theorized that the pipe’s proximity to the village’s old tannery could have played a role. Years ago, he said, wood chips containing tannic acid could have surrounded the pipe, and caused corrosion over time. The water main was repaired.