New Madison council president resigns

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NEW MADISON — During a Monday’s Village of New Madison Council meeting, Council President Jeremy Doolin announced his resignation, effective September 4.

One of Doolin’s last duties is to meet with council’s Safety and Security Committee to come up with a price for the remaining items belonging to the former village Police Department.

“I would like to stay, but we are moving outside of the Village,” Doolin said.

“Thank you for what you have done,” Councilwoman Monyca Schlechty said. “You have done a great job.”

Meeting guest Kenneth Baker asked the council to take over the tasks of maintaining the New Madison Christmas Lights and Community Birthday Calendar projects. The calendar project brings in about $13,000 per year, according to Baker. Council said they would discuss the idea.

“I now feel it is time to pass along these worthwhile projects to someone more able to ensure their continued support for the good of New Madison,” Baker said.

In other news, Grants and Funding Specialist Susan Laux with Mote & Associates gave council the recorded easements from village residents required to start upcoming projects. Council moved to approve two projects based on the bid results provided by Laux, received from an August 16 Darke County Commissioners meeting. Council approved the Duffield Street project base bid only, from Associated Excavating of Brookville, for $71,689.50. The money must be spent by the end of November. Council discussed possibly doing the alternate next year.

Council also approved The North Main Street project base bid only, from Brumbaugh Construction, Inc., of Arcanum, for $375,319. The work must be completed sometime between February and June 30 of 2018. In addition, bids received for tree removal are to be decided at a later date.

In other discussion, council members had received complaints about residents that own swimming pools without fences surrounding them. Councilwoman Monyca Schlechty said there is an ordinance and the council will look into how to enforcing that. In addition, Councilman Karl King said the water tower project is moving along. According to Laux, the village has an application in the Ohio Public Works Commission for a $400,000 grant and a $600,000 loan. That money is projected to come out of the county’s allotment, she said.

“We don’t have to compete against anyone else,” she said. “Once we get that funding, we can take that money and apply for a grant through the (Community Development Block Grant) CDBG program, for $500,000. My hope is that when we are done, we have a $100,000 loan at zero percent interest for 30 years. That is what we are trying to accomplish. I have spoken with Mr. Surber [Darke County Engineer Jim Surber] and he is aware of your need. The idea is if we can have the engineering done – we can’t get to that $500,000 grant until you have your permit from the (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to build this water tower. The sooner we can get to that point and apply for that money it will be to our advantage.”

In other news, two ordinances and one resolution were approved to be read as emergencies and adopted, including: Ordinance 2017-21, Establishing water rates for residents who reside outside the village corporation limits; Ordinance 2017-22, Amending the income tax code of the Village of New Madison as it relates to penalties for certain tax violations and Resolution 2017-23, Authorizing the Village of New Madison to enter into a contact with Mote & Associates for engineering services.

New Madison Yard Sales are scheduled for September 28, 29 and 30. The next New Madison Council meeting will take place Monday, September 18 at 6 p.m.

By Carolyn Harmon

[email protected]

The writer may be reached at 937-569-4354. Join the conversation and get updates on Facebook search Darke County Sports or Advocate 360. For more features online go to dailyadvocate.com.

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