Fed OKs $418,560 grant for Carey

CAREY – It was not the amount the village was hoping for, but it's better than nothing. Due to Carey moving forward with a higher bid for the Continental Structural Plastics substation, the U.S. Economic Development Agency only will fund $418,560 of the $2.26 million project. At its Jan. 3 meeting, council approved a $2.26 million bid from Vaughn Electric, choosing it over the $1.5 million bid submitted by Quality Lines. Council chiefly was concerned over Quality Lines' low labor costs it projected for the project, because it didn't seem reasonable. EDA wouldn't get caught up in that. Instead, it directed Carey to remove the labor costs from the project, dropping the project cost to $1.082 million, of which EDA would approve paying 38.65 percent . The village has a little more than $1.5 million from an American Municipal Power $5.5 million loan it pursued nearly two years ago and the village is to pull the remaining money — $337,948 — from the electric fund's line items for capital expenditures. "(EDA) basically said, 'Since you chose to take the other contract, we will still participate but not on that piece of it,'" Village Administrator Roy Johnson said, speaking of the disputed labor costs. He said if the village had taken the Quality Lines bid, the grant would have been for $1.311 million. Johnson also gave an update on the village's plan to move to automatic water and electric meters. The cost to do this came in a little higher than planned at $805,000. That cost includes the initial set-up fee for the system and the server farm, syncing up with current software, cell charges per meter as well as the equipment, which would amount to 1,950 electric meters and 1,450 water meters. Johnson said they've already appropriated some funds for the project, about $90,000. Johnson said Continental Structural Plastics has requested roadway assistance from the state along TH 96 as the road is not built for the amount of truck traffic it is seeing. The stretch of road being redone would be almost 2,000 feet. Ohio Department of Transportation Economic Development personnel said a grant could be available for this. The village's commitment to the project through grants would be no more than 17 percent, or about $38,000. That project is similar to the village helping with roadway changes at Arrowhead Commercial Park. The village is going to start using a financing program through ODOT called State Infrastructure Bank to finance these types of projects. The program gives loans up to 30-year terms at 3 percent interest and there's no payment or interest for the first 12 months and the first payment is not due until 31 months after closing. There's a $2,000 financial advisor fee involved which is paid at closing. Johnson said he's going to apply for the village to use these funds for the two above roadway improvement projects. The council approved the measure as an emergency. Mayor Armand Getz and councilwoman Mellisa Cole were absent from the meeting. Council president Jenn Rathburn filled in for Getz in his absence. In other action, council: • Approved final readings of ordinances, including for the sale of the 1996 fire truck and nine voltage regulators; to have ODOT inspect the village's bridges; and an ordinance allowing for up $1,500 per year to be spent for coffee, meals, refreshments and other amenities for public employees, municipal officers and other people. The last one will have a $300-per- event cap. • Was informed by Johnson that the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure would be making a stop in Carey June 20 for a food/rest stop 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Carey Chamber director Cassie Carlton had reached out to Johnson and is seeking donations of food and snacks for the stop in hopes GOBA would consider Carey again in the future. Johnson encouraged community members interested in helping with donations for the day to reach out to Carlson at the chamber. • Approved the new slate of officers for the Carey Fire Department. Serving for the next two years will be Fire Chief Chad Snyder, Assistant Chief Keith O'Flaherty, Capt. John Hall, Capt. Art Diaz, Lt. Lance Kessler, Lt. Aaron Taylor, Lt. Ryan Eley and secretary/treasurer Chad Burton. * Heard from Johnson that the village's enterprise zone agreements as well as the community reinvestment agreement will be reviewed by the tax incentive review council at a countywide meeting March 7. Village council is to meet at 7 p.m. Monday for a special meeting to approve a resolution of support for the Safe Routes to School program. The village has partnered with the school district and ODOT on the program. As part of the resolution, the village would agree to maintain any infrastructure installed through the program. The next regular council meeting is at 7 p.m. March 6.