Mount Vernon News

GAMBIER — Gambier Village Council had a relatively short meeting Monday night.

Dan Werner, executive director of the Knox County Chapter of the American Red Cross, gave council members an overview of the organization’s responsibilities. Werner said he’s making the rounds of council meetings in order to educate the community about the Red Cross and the services it offers.

Denny Phillips of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office spoke to council about the use of golf carts in the village. He requested council recommend a variance for Kenyon College to use the carts.

According to Phillips, vehicles such as golf carts, quad runners, three-wheelers and Rhinos are not street legal. The college replaced its Explorer with golf carts for use on campus and in the village.

Village administrator Suzanne Hopkins said college officials are observing proper road etiquette when using the carts — drivers don’t linger on the roads and they stay to one side in order to not obstruct traffic. The carts are not used on main roads, such as Ohio 229 or routes to Miller Observatory; they’re on the roads only when crossing.

Phillips said he requested the variance for Kenyon’s use of the carts because it’s using the carts properly. At the same time, he wants to prevent an influx of others using such vehicles to get around town.

“What I don’t want to see is 50 other people riding their quad runner and three-wheelers down to the deli,” he said, whether it’s residents or students.

Council referred the matter to its Streets and Utilities Committee and Police Personnel Committee. Phillips said he will also seek guidance from the Knox County Prosecutor’s Office.

Hopkins reported the village had a loss of water pressure on the north end of the village on Wednesday due to Kenyon testing the fire protection in Peirce Hall. A boil alert was issued villagewide. Hopkins said she spoke with Kenyon officials about the village needing to be notified prior to any testing; they have agreed to do so.

Hopkins also said the village had three water line leaks within a week’s time frame. Two were in main lines, one on East Woodside Drive, the other on East Brooklyn Street. The third was a service line to an East Wiggin Street duplex. She added that another leak was discovered over the weekend.

The village’s annual sewer and water rate increase will begin this quarter. The sewer increase is 2 percent, the water increase is 5 percent. Hopkins said the 5 percent increase in water rates is a result of Mount Vernon increasing its rates to the village by 5 percent.

Hopkins said the village is finding many uses for its new ATV Rhino. The Rhino is being used whenever possible instead of the village’s diesel trucks, as it gets much better gas mileage.

Hopkins also reported painting the water tower is progressing nicely. Work began July 15; sand blasting began July 29 and will take about four days. Painting will begin after the sandblasting is completed. Hopkins said an inspection will be performed after each stage is completed before going on to the next.

In other business, council:

•Discussed placing a speed sign on Wiggin Street in front of the school.

•Gave a second reading to an ordinance relating to accessory buildings.

•Approved payments of $1,198 to Mohican Valley Fence for the fence at South Park, and of $13,356 to Excell concrete Construction for a sidewalk along Meadow Lane.

•Referred an expenditure of $1,344.03 to Safe Path Products for an entry-level landing to make the community center ADA compliant to the Buildings and Grounds Committee.