Zanesfield Village Council members expressed an interest in moving forward with the first phase of the drainage project regardless of a recent impasse that has mired a later phase of the plan.
“We’re getting accused as council as dragging our feet on this,” Councilman Gene Fout said at the Monday meeting that included a presentation by Logan County Engineer Scott Coleman on the need for and progress on a villagewide drainage improvement project.
Mr. Fout noted that the village has been saddled with the task of finding financing for the project and is working with village property owners to find the best and most economical route for the drainage ditch.
The first phase of the project, which was initially estimated at about $36,000, was already approved by the Ohio Public Works Commission for funding and would have required up to $5,000 in village matching money, Mr. Coleman said.
Because some modifications have been made to the plan to accommodate the Zanesfield Chamber of Commerce, which owns Hall-Fawcett Park, where the majority of the first phase would travel to the Mad River, the estimated cost has risen slightly and Mr. Coleman asked council to approve up to $6,000 for the village share of funding for the project.
Although council took no action on the request, Mayor Heather Clapsaddle said she would consult with Clerk-Treasurer Vicky Marmon, who was absent, in the coming month to determine the availability of the extra $1,000 in the 2016 budget.
If the village finds the money and the project with its revisions is approved by the OPWC this spring, work could begin on the new drainage ditch through Hall-Fawcett Park after the annual Logan Hills Festival on Memorial Day weekend, Mr. Coleman told council.
When Phase I is complete, the village could turn its attention to Phase III of the project, which would essentially improve a stretch of open ditch in the western half of the village at an estimated cost of $69,000. That phase has also been approved for funding, Mr. Coleman said.
Phase IV was initially denied by the OPWC, but other funding, possibly a village and county partnership, could support that work, the engineer said.
That just leaves Phase II — the most problematic phase of the project, Mr. Coleman said. Although it is located geographically in the center of the village, it is currently adequate to handle the projected water flow and would not need to be addressed until all other work is complete, he said.
Read complete story in Tuesday’s Examiner.
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