Middlefield Village Council voted Sept. 10 in favor of resolutions to waive billing increases for water and sewer services for residents and businesses in 2021.
Middlefield Village Council voted Sept. 10 in favor of resolutions to waive billing increases for water and sewer services for residents and businesses in 2021.
Village Administrator Leslie Gambosi-McCoy said in a phone interview council voted to waive the annual increase because of the positive economic environment of the village.
“We’re cognizant of the fact (the village) is doing better than many other municipalities,” she said Sept. 11.
Last year, council raised the utility costs by 5% and previous years by 3% beginning in 2014 or 2015, McCoy said.
Council and the administration noted the Consumer Price Index reported the cost of living has increased less than 1%, as well, she said.
McCoy told council a delineation study of about 122 buildable acres of land on state Route 528 south of Kinsman Road is planned. When complete, acreage will be certified by Site Ohio as “shovel ready” for industrial development.
The process addresses any possible wetland, archeological and endangered species issues and is financed through JOBS Ohio, the economic development arm of the state, she said.
The property is owned by local businessman Dick Bonner and Red Creek Development.
A section of Tare Creek Parkway from North State Street west to Springdale Street will be paved with Municipal Road Fund money received from the Geauga County Commissioners and Geauga County Engineer’s Office, McCoy said.
Streets Director Joe Tucholski said during the virtual council meeting the project is estimated to cost $206,000 and the village matching funds amount will be about $32,000. The village will advertise for bids over the next three weeks and the project will be awarded at the next council meeting, he said.
The project includes the buggy lanes on the north and south sides of the parkway and, weather permitting, will be completed this year, McCoy said.
Also along the parkway, the Ohio Department of Transportation has started grading its parcel next to the wastewater treatment plant, where it will be building a new garage over the next year, she said.
Tucholski, who is also village police chief, said he will be using some of the federal CARES Act money allotted to the village to purchase a new police vehicle with vinyl seats for transporting individuals suspected of having the coronavirus.
Other police vehicles have fabric upholstery and are harder to disinfect, he said.
The vehicles will cost about $45,000 and he will be using about $20,000 in CARES Act funds.
Council also approved Halloween trick-or-treat from 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 31, requesting participants to maintain social distancing and respect the wishes of residents who are not participating, McCoy said.
Middlefield Village Fire Department has cancelled its annual costume contest, deeming it unsafe to have so many people in a small space, she said.
McCoy also said the village planning and zoning commission is accepting letters of interest from individuals who would like to serve on the commission. Letters can be left at the municipal center or individuals can call her at 440-632-5248.
