UTICA — After much discussion Monday night, Utica Village Council passed an amended ordinance to increase the village water rate. The increase will go into effect June 1, at $2.03 per 100 cubic feet, and will increase 25 cents yearly for the next three years.
“The Light Committee looked into this and originally they thought they would raise it a $1 per 100 cubic feet, but after examining it further, they felt it should be raised a quarter for the next four years,” said Mayor Larry Friesel.
In other business:
•Village Administrator Jud Brechler informed council of his talk with Licking County Regional Planning concerning the wastewater plant grant. He was told the village should know within three to six weeks whether the village will receive the grant. Brechler also updated council on the Woda Group LLC housing development project. Things are going well, he said, with the water and sewer lines in place as well as the catch basins for storm drain.
•Kindergarten screening went well, reported Police Chief Robert Curtis. He also told council he has notified several property owners regarding overgrown grass in the area, and has been going around the village identifying nuisances such as trash, junk and junk cars. The police radar trailer has been out for the past two weeks and will continue to be out in different areas of the village, he said.
•Light Committee Chairman Lester Grennell reported the purchase of a water softening system for the village would be approximately $1 million. Grennell said the topic would be discussed again in the future.
•Street Committee Chairman Jack Raines informed council of a $30,000 paving estimate for Wells Avenue from U.S. 62 to Blacksnake Road; Cary Street and Central Avenue; and from North Street to Crestview. Raines also reported that flasher street lights at the intersection of Wells Avenue and U.S. 62 need repair, and lights should be updated to LED lights. He said the hole at Alley 10 around the catch basin will be repaired soon with hot mix.
•Councilwoman Cathy Evans said the Finance Committees approved an upgrade of the software system for Fiscal Officer Anne Flaherty. The upgrade will allow for a back system for all information stored on the computer and the server will allow for more space than the current computer.
•A work session for the village budget is planned for Monday at 7 p.m. and will look into each department to see where cuts can be made. The session will begin with the police department’s budget and items.
•Flaherty said there are still residents who have yet to file their taxes.
•Friesel announced upcoming events: The bicentennial program for May will be a vintage baseball game held Saturday at South End Park, the Utica Ice Cream Festival will be May 29 through 31, the Park National Bank Breakfast will be May 26 and The Utica Historical Society cemetery program will be June 12.
