Village-wide spring clean-up begins Monday
BY TOM STEPHENS
EXAMINER CONTRIBUTOR
The matter of discussion that has dominated much of DeGraff Village Council’s attention over the past several months is, of course, the income tax levy on the May 2 ballot, and Tuesday’s meeting, April 18, was no different.
The Village of DeGraff is asking for a 0.5 income tax increase for residents and those who work in the village, both of whom now pay the village a 1 percent tax on their income.
The entirety of the income tax increase, if passed, would go toward the construction of a new fire station, as well as the operations and maintenance of the fire department itself. After a short discussion, Mayor Stephanie Orsborne closed the matter succinctly.
“It’s up to the voters on whether they want a fire department or not,“ Mayor Osborne said.
Otherwise, the DeGraff Village Council breezed through its agenda Tuesday, waving the three-reading rule on an ordinance which will transfer money from the general fund to the water fund, passing the legislation without a dissenting vote.
The council also approved a motion, again without dissension, to allow the village to apply for a grant for Kevlar gloves and similar equipment as a guard against dogs bites, several of which were suffered by firefighters and law enforcement officers this past year.
It was also announced at Tuesday’s meeting that bids to make the final upgrades at the water treatment plant – the last of a very large number of steps in getting the plant up to full operation in accordance with Environmental Protection Agency standards – will be opened May 11 at 1 p.m. at the Village Building.
While no motion was made, the council agreed that the village should plan on bidding on the playground equipment that is being sold by the Riverside Local School District. The equipment was described as being “wonderful”, and would be in installed at the Village Park should the council decide to engage in and win the bidding process.
In other matters, the Village Park has completed its yearly spring cleanup, and the village announced that the village-wide spring cleaning pickup i.e. brush, yard waste, small branches, etc., will start Monday, April 24, and will continue throughout the week.
Also discussed at Tuesday’s meeting is the need for a property maintenance code in the village. Dilapidated and rundown houses in the village have long been a concern and topic of conversation for the council, but as of now, with no specific ordinances on the books, the village doesn’t have the authority to order or enforce a “clean-up” or demolition of a property, even for safety or health reasons.
Village Solicitor Zeb Wagner if the village wants the authority to enforce such codes, an ordinance must be drawn up and passed by the council before the weight of law could be brought against offenders. The council agreed. An ordinance addressing the matter was ordered to be drafted and can be expected to be read at a future meeting.
The DeGraff Village Council is scheduled to meet again at 7 p.m. May 9 in the Village Building, at which time the results of the levy will be known and will undoubtedly be part of the agenda. Visitors are welcome to attend.