MOUNT VERNON — The city is all set for the holiday celebrations scheduled for this weekend, according to Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis.
The city’s parks department and the Heritage Centre Association have worked to decorate Public Square with lights and other holiday decorations.
“We want to kick off the holiday season with a great deal of vigor,” said Mavis.
The Christmas Walk will take place Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. in downtown Mount Vernon.
The official lighting of Public Square is scheduled for 5 p.m. during the Christmas Walk.
Mavis also said the Christmas parade will be televised this year for home viewers and is set for 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
In other news:
•Recently, the city engineer Cameron Keaton reviewed bids for demolition of the old Hiawatha school building and accepted a bid of $37, 595 by All Aspects Contracting of Elyria. The mayor said the pre-construction meeting will be held within the next couple of weeks with hopes of having the building demolished by the end of the year.
Several residence have contacted the city about taking bricks from the building. Mavis said those interested should contact All Aspects Contracting to make arrangements.
•Last week was the final week for leaf pickup in the city with 50 loads less than in previous years, said Mavis.
“Normally, we would have 270 to 290 loads and much of that decreased this year. We think it’s due to the leaves being so dry that when they were sucked through the vacuum they disintegrated into dust,” he said. The trucks used for leaf pickup will be converted for salt distribution and snow removal vehicles.
•Mavis said the company that has been working with the city for the past few months on improvements in Foundation Park will present a master plan in February.
“The company has been working on developing that land area out there to make it more desirable for residents’ relaxation and recreation,” he said.
•Specifications for the renovation of the eastside water tank are in the planning stage.
•The city recently met with the Clinton Township Water/Wastewater Commission to discuss information for a management agreement between the city and township. “We are hopeful that this could reduce cost for township consumers,” said Mavis.
•Mavis explained the street department is wrapping up the brick street project for the year. Finishing up a portion of McArthur Street between Vine and Gambier streets, the city will replace the gutter and curb. “The other block we’re going to do is McKenzie Street between Chestnut and Sugar street,” he said. “We will be replacing a water and sewer line, and a manhole, so we’ll be taking up all the bricks and all the curbs and taking out some trees. That project will be done, if weather permits, through the winter.” Mavis said the city’s goal is to disrupt traffic flow as little as possible.
•The mayor also reported that one of the vehicles pulled out of the lake at Foundation Park had been reported stolen in 2006 and was taken to a private impound lot under the supervision of the insurance company. The other vehicle found had been traced back to Texas and had no reports of it being stolen. Mavis said the city has the second vehicle in their impound lot and is conducting further investigation into its ownership. If no further information can be found, the city will get a scrap title for the vehicle and sell the parts.
•Recently, the city engineer Cameron Keaton reviewed bids for demolition of the old Hiawatha school building and accepted a bid of $37, 595 by All Aspects Contracting of Elyria. The mayor said the pre-construction meeting will be held within the next couple of weeks with hopes of having the building demolished by the end of the year.
Several residence have contacted the city about taking bricks from the building. Mavis said those interested should contact All Aspects Contracting to make arrangements.
•Last week was the final week for leaf pickup in the city with 50 loads less than in previous years, said Mavis.
“Normally, we would have 270 to 290 loads and much of that decreased this year. We think it’s due to the leaves being so dry that when they were sucked through the vacuum they disintegrated into dust,” he said. The trucks used for leaf pickup will be converted for salt distribution and snow removal vehicles.
•Mavis said the company that has been working with the city for the past few months on improvements in Foundation Park will present a master plan in February.
“The company has been working on developing that land area out there to make it more desirable for residents’ relaxation and recreation,” he said.
•Specifications for the renovation of the eastside water tank are in the planning stage.
•The city recently met with the Clinton Township Water/Wastewater Commission to discuss information for a management agreement between the city and township. “We are hopeful that this could reduce cost for township consumers,” said Mavis.
•Mavis explained the street department is wrapping up the brick street project for the year. Finishing up a portion of McArthur Street between Vine and Gambier streets, the city will replace the gutter and curb. “The other block we’re going to do is McKenzie Street between Chestnut and Sugar street,” he said. “We will be replacing a water and sewer line, and a manhole, so we’ll be taking up all the bricks and all the curbs and taking out some trees. That project will be done, if weather permits, through the winter.” Mavis said the city’s goal is to disrupt traffic flow as little as possible.
•The mayor also reported that one of the vehicles pulled out of the lake at Foundation Park had been reported stolen in 2006 and was taken to a private impound lot under the supervision of the insurance company. The other vehicle found had been traced back to Texas and had no reports of it being stolen. Mavis said the city has the second vehicle in their impound lot and is conducting further investigation into its ownership. If no further information can be found, the city will get a scrap title for the vehicle and sell the parts.
