MOUNT VERNON – The city was awarded $3.3 million to buy a right of way for its State Route 13 rerouting project and now is asking for another $2.5 million for its construction.
Mount Vernon received $3.3 million from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) as part of $391.9 million in projects approved by the Transportation Review Advisory Council.
City Engineer Brian Ball said the funds would be used for real estate acquisition. He said Mount Vernon received 100% of what it requested.
The highway would be moved off the one-way Gay and Chestnut streets.
The city is asking ODOT for construction funding for the project. Ball said they are asking for $2.5 million in the Small Cities Congestion Mitigation program. That application is due on Saturday, April 15.
Farmers ‘hungry’ for lime, so the city delivers
Farmers are “hungry” for lime, so the city has begun hauling lime from 1700 Old Delaware Road, Ball said. He said that the dry weather meant trucks were lined up to load the lime and take it to the farmers.
Disinfection to make river safer for use
Utilities Director Aaron Reinhart said a new raw-water meter is being installed between the well and the water plant.
Utilities staff members are setting up the lab at the wastewater plant to be ready by May 1. He said this is the season when people use the rivers, so they will add a tertiary disinfection technique for the summer months.
Zoning code update available for review
The first part of Mount Vernon’s zoning code revision has been added to the city’s website, mountvernonohio.org.
Safety-Services Director Rick Dzik said the public can review the document and share comments. Those comments can be sent via email to pc@mountvernonohio.org.
Public Works crews installing pipes in drainage projects
Public Works Director Tom Hinkle said the Street Department has completed the Rose Avenue drainage project. Crews installed 60 feet of pipe under the street, installed two catch basins and cleaned ditches.
The next drainage project is at East Pleasant Street and North Center Street, where crews will install 180 feet of pipe under North Center Street and install one new catch basin.
On Thursday, local plants began making hot mix asphalt. Hinkle said city crews are getting 12 tons of the hot mix to start working on potholes and water digs.
“Once we get on top of the larger holes, then we start where we actually go up and down every street,” he said.
The improved weather means the crews have started sweeping curbed city streets. Residents are asked not to park on the streets when they are scheduled to be cleaned.
The damaged traffic signals at Gambier/Rogers/Liberty are being reinstalled. But they must reuse old equipment because it will take six months for a new cabinet and four to six months for new traffic lights. That means the traffic lights will be on a cycling schedule.
“That intersection had an actuation which only stopped Gambier Street traffic when side street activity needed to be serviced,” Hinkle said.
Looking ahead to next winter, Hinkle said the city ordered 1,000 tons of road salt for 2023-24. However, the request decreased because Mount Vernon has a salt stockpile.
Park restrooms opened
The Parks Department opened restrooms in city parks on April 3.
A contractor is power-washing the restrooms and will paint them inside and out.
He said a roller from a local rental business was used on the diamonds and outfields at ballfields and all the green spaces to smooth the ground before crews start mowing.
He said that chain link dugouts have been installed at the Babe Ruth field to replace a dugout that was lost to a storm last summer.
Hinkle said he started the goose management program at Ariel Foundation and other city parks. Six nests have been found so far. Egg addling is part of the program, as are hunts throughout the season.
Cemetery lists prohibited items, seeks seasonal staff
As staff at the cemetery prepare for the 2023 mowing and trimming season, they are asking the community to remember what items are prohibited within its 67 acres.
Prohibited items include solar lights, borders or fences, metal or wire, toys, Styrofoam, ceramic and glass. They present hazards for staff trying to maintain the cemetery grounds. Current rules and regulations can be found at www.mountvernonohio.org. Or call the office at 740-393-9581 or stop in between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday to request a copy.
Mound View Cemetery is hiring seasonal employees to work Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. to help staff maintain the cemetery grounds. Hinkle said that anyone interested can visit the city’s website at mountvernonohio.org or call 740-393-9581 to ask about the positions.
New cleaning company gets contract
Whole 9 Yards Cleaning of Grove City, Ohio, will take over cleaning all city-owned buildings starting May 1.
The Public Building & Lands Department upgraded lights at the Hiawatha Pool pumphouse from fluorescent to LED.
