By
Leesa K. Bartu
The
Exeter Village Board met on Tuesday, November 8 at the new community classroom
at Exeter-Milligan school.
The
board first addressed a request from Paul Jensen for a zoning change. The
county zoning board recommended the change from industrial to commercial for
the property Jensen recently purchased on East Boundary. The board approved the
zoning change.
Steve
Parr from JEO reviewed a packet of possible road and infrastructure projects
with the board including paving several blocks, redoing the paving on several
blocks and new light fixtures downtown. The board also looked at a
project to replace the aging water main lines downtown.
In
discussing the downtown area, Parr noted that, “Usually when we tear everything
out we replace the service lines to the businesses in the area.”
When
discussing the street paving projects, the board noted several options for continuing
a street project. If 60 percent of the adjacent property owners are for
the project then a street improvement district can be formed and the paving can
be done. Also, the village has the option to pave any unpaved street off of a
paved intersection.
In
looking at the maps Village Board Chairman Alan Michl said, “I hate to say it
but those streets have to be done but we need to keep improvements going.”
He
added, “We definitely need to do main street and the street repairs. We can
make plans to do the street paving after we talk to JEO and Ameritas about
finances.”
Board
Vice Chairman Tim Wilbeck agreed, “I think we need to pursue this. Let’s start
doing it.”
The
estimated cost for the sidewalk, lighting and water main project downtown are
around $650,000. The village would secure bonds to pay for the project and
these bonds would replace other street repair bonds that will be paid off in
2019. There would be no additional cost to taxpayers as the village would
just pay the interest on the new bond until 2019 and then begin to pay
principal.
The
board reviewed the one and six year plan and asked Steve to revise the plan
according to the discussion. The one and six year plans along with the
full estimates for the proposed concrete projects are available in the village
office.
The
board moved on to some maintenance issues including a problem with termites at
the Senior Center. The board noted that the agreement with the senior
center includes the village taking care of the upkeep and pest control at the
senior center.
Exeter
Village Clerk pointed out the most recent fiscal year review and the expense
report which shows the village had very less than $600 overage.
Maintenance
Supervisor John Mueller started his report with the options for the mold
abatement post inspections at the village office. The board opted to pay for
all of the air quality tests.
Mueller
presented the board with some tractor brochures and the board decided to review
them and table a decision until the next meeting. Mueller also reported
that the soft start switches at the lift station were going bad and it will
cost $1600 to replace them.
Mueller
and Board Member Justin Harre updated the board on the ballfield
progress. The sprinklers were projected to be done at the end of the week.
The new surface was slated for the next week. Michl and Wilbeck thought
it had been more than 30 years since anything had been done to the ballfield.
Michl
broached the question of building a new village office, “Should we proceed to
see what it would cost to build across the street? I have been approached by
several people who are interested in the current offices.”
Michl
noted that there are grants available and some would take into account the
investment the village made removing the tag factory.
Harre
commented, “This is a good time to look into it because of all the problems we
are having with the current building.”
Clerk
Becky Erdkamp noted that sales tax for August was $10,673.43 and Keno for
September was $257.74. She reminded the board that the audit would be
December 7.
The
board set the next meeting for December 7 at 7 p.m.
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