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Lack of funds forces Burton to prioritize
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - April 14, 2010)
Lack of funds forces Burton to prioritize
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Burton Village Council and the village's board of public affairs went to work last week to draw up a plan for capital-improvement projects.
The two bodies got together to look at upcoming needed projects to develop the plan that will be needed when the village places its 2011 application for $3.8 million in Ohio Public Works funds.
Although some projects need immediate attention, the lack of funds forced council and the board to place them lower on the priority ranking.
"It's always a question of money," public affairs board member Curt Johnson said.
Village Fiscal Officer Christopher Paquette said council and the board should consider what projects get the most use by the public and which affects the most residents. Then a priority list can be made and the village can begin saving money for them, he said.
The city's application for the $3.8 million must be in by June 1. The money is projected to be used to upgrade the village's waste-water treatment plant at an estimated cost of approximately $6.5 million. Mr. Paquette said the village, at the time of application, also must show where it will get the rest of the money for the project. He said part of that will be to show the rates the village charges for sewers.
Mr. Johnson said the village still is awaiting recommendations from the the Rural Community Assistance Program, which met with village officials March 1.
Mr. Johnson said the public affairs board is awaiting so much information that it is difficult at this time to say what it is going to do.
In the end, council and the board agreed to take on some of the less-expensive projects, or those they deemed a liability if ignored.
Projects slated for 2010 include the patching of Garden Street, chipping and sealing the road edges on Rapids Road, raising a catch basin on North Cheshire Street and miscellaneous sidewalk repairs.
Other needed projects, such as road and infrastructure repairs along Seco Street, Elmar Boulevard and Dean Court would have to be pushed back because of their cost.
Mayor Thomas Blair Sr. said all three streets are in need of waterline replacements. He said those projects may have to be moved up on the list if water main breaks occur there.
Mr. Paquette said the village may attempt to get grants to help with those three streets, but any grant likely would require a 50 percent to 70 percent match from the village because the streets benefit just a few residents.
A major project planned for Rapids Road would be judged more worthy for a grant because of the volume of traffic it handles daily. Council and the board placed the project for repairs in 2013-2014.
Mr. Blair said the sidewalks, although considered a less-costly project, are needed because of the liability issues they present.
Plans to repair a parking lot on East Park Street was put off until more studies can be done. Officials said they hope to take borings of the area to determine what might be needed for repairs.
A major project for Cook and Hickox streets, which includes water and sewer lines, paving and curbing, would be put off until 2015. Another project slated for 2015 is the replacement of a culvert near the American Legion Hall on Goodwin Avenue.
Councilman Craig Ronyak suggested the village attempt temporary repairs on the culvert by using concrete and asphalt.
The two bodies also looked at vehicle replacements as part of the overall plan. Mr. Blair said the village now has to look at making things last longer in the village, saying a vehicle planned for replacement after five years may have to wait seven.
A new fence at Welton Cemetery was put on hold for a while, but officials do plan to investigate water-drainage problems there to determine what the cost may be for solving them.
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