MOUNT VERNON — Residents of Mount Vernon will get a chance in November to vote on whether they would like to enter a gas aggregate program. According to Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis, the city will put the issue on the ballot for the Nov. 4 election.
The gas aggregate program would allow the city to authorize Buckeye Energy Brokers Inc. to negotiate a price with gas companies for city residents. By negotiating as a group of approximately 6,500 residential homes and business, Mavis hopes that residents can save money on their natural gas bills.
“We’ve discussed this for almost a year and a half and decided to put it on the ballot and ask for voters’ approval,” said Mavis. “The municipalities I’ve spoken with on the program all have seen a savings. It doesn’t create a great savings in the monthly bill, but it adds up in a year.”
Mavis said if the measure is passed, residents will have the opportunity to opt in or out of the program — that it’s not automatic. If passed, the measure won’t go into effect right away. Mavis said it will probably be April before it would start, and that residents can call (866) 302-2237 if they have more questions.
On Thursday, the city got approval for its Community Development Block Grant application for the Sychar Road area. The city received a $300,000 distress grant and another $69,000 in a formula grant for projects in the target area. Mavis said the city is kicking in another $214,100 to help with projects, which include paving the Hiawatha Park pavilion parking lot, sidewalks and bridge improvements, among other things. The two concrete bridges over Center Run on Braddock and Catherine streets will be improved. Mavis said it was initially thought those bridges would have to be replaced.
In other news, Mavis said the city is looking for information about the usage of the horseshoe pits in Riverside Park. The recent storm caused trees to fall into the fence around the pits and before fixing the area, Mavis said the city wants to find out from residents whether they are being used for horseshoe games or tournaments or whether the area would be better suited for something else.
“It’s clear that this is the only horseshoe venue in the city. But, if no one uses it, we’d like to look at other activities there. They can call [393-9517] or e-mail [] me about it,” Mavis said.
Mavis said the parks department has placed the new trash receptacles on Public Square. The new black metal receptacles match the benches that were installed earlier this year.
Mavis said he has received many favorable phone calls on the new downtown signs that are being installed. The signs were purchased through a public/private partnership between the city, the Heritage Centre Association and the parking company. Also regarding signs, the city has ordered a new sign for Blackjack Road. Mavis said the one installed recently at the intersection of Newark Road had Blackjack spelled as two words.
The Curtis Street brick replacement project began this past week. Mavis is concerned that there are a number of bricks broken or chipped and can’t be reused. He said city workers will be looking at the inventory of extra bricks stashed at the city’s property on Cougar Drive to find matches. During the 100-plus years the city placed bricks on the streets, Mavis said, they used 12 different vendors and many are different sizes.
