MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis reports that the hot mix season is nearly here.
“Mr. [Dave] Carpenter just told me there would probably be some hot mix available next week,” he said. “But certainly within two weeks. When that hot mix is available, we will be out in full force, patching the streets with hot-mix materials.”
Mavis said the city met with officials from the Ohio Department of Transportation this week to discuss the Coshocton Avenue widening and safety projects.
“We met with the usual people we meet with, but they brought their design people this time,” Mavis explained. “If we supported their safety project they would do the design for the projects. That will save the city a couple of hundred thousand dollars. This was the first time we actually met with the design people. It looks like the project is scheduled to be sold in 2012. There will be a public meeting early this fall for people to see ODOT’s drawings, and they can see how properties will be impacted by the project.”
Mavis said the public meeting will not be the typical sit-down meeting with people getting up and asking questions of the officials present. Rather, ODOT will have maps and charts on display, showing how and where changes will be made and how that will affect properties in the area. People can look at the graphics; if they have any questions, they can approach an official and ask specific questions.
The widening project will go from the Center Run bridge to Shalimar Drive. The safety project goes from Sychar Road to the entrance into the TSC store, according to Mavis. The safety project will entail looking at entrances and exits near the Bob Evan’s Restaurant and others, and turn lanes and traffic signals along Coshocton Avenue.
During the week, Mavis met with Safety-Service Director Dave Glass, City Engineer Cameron Keaton and City Auditor Terry Scott to do a regular project review. The review updates the status of the numerous projects the city has under way at any one time.
“One of those projects we have going is the Wooster Road/Vernonview Drive water line,” Mavis explained. “We will open bids on that project on the 17th of April.
In other news:
•Mavis said the annexation of the old American Can property into the city will be on the city council’s agenda at its next meeting.
•The Mount Vernon Nazarene University will be bringing in a crane next week to lift heating and cooling equipment to the roof of its downtown building. This could conflict with work on Gay Street by blocking South Main Street. City officials told MVNU it could use two days to bring in the crane and install the equipment.
•The city engineer has all of the necessary EPA specifications in the bidding documents for the demolition of the old Connell’s building. Mavis said he hopes this means the project can begin moving.
•Mavis also addressed concerns about nonresidents who are employed in the city and pay city income tax. These concerns center around having to pay city income taxes, but not having any say on how the money is spent.
“This is an issue that comes up from time to time,” Mavis said. “And I am not sure what the state would allow us to do if we were to grant some kind of representation. This situation is not unique to Mount Vernon, I’m sure. I don’t think I’ve seen any other community address this problem. But I think there could be something worked out without using an elected official for them.”
