Village of Ashville, Ohio

I want to start out the 2015 Report by saying, it has been an honor to serve as Mayor since 2000. For me to be granted that opportunity is humbling. It has also been a pleasure to work with a council which include: Nelson Embrey, Brian Garvine, Todd Henson, Randy Loveless, David Rainey, and Tracie Sorvillo.

In general these are the highlights for 2015:

Financial

The council and I put together the 2015 budget to fund many of the projects underway and in a manner to anticipate future needs while using a conservative approach to that development. In 2015, our expenses were 3.7 million dollars with a 4.8 million dollar budget. Our actual Revenue for 2015 was 3.6 million dollars but an additional $500,000 of Grants and collaborative funding partners. Thus we are keeping our expenditures in aliment with our actual revenue. This will maintain the sustainability of the village. The details of this information can be viewed on our website’s “The Financial Page”. It contains budget and financial report information from 2008 to present.

Cooperation

The village continues to seek collaboration with other local entities that would strengthen our ability to meet your needs. This entities include: South Bloomfield, Earnhardt Hill Water District, Berger Hospital, Harrison Township Trustees, Madison Township Trustee, MORPC, PICCA, Pickaway County Chamber of Commerce, and Pickaway Progress Partnership (P3). You will see the results of that collaboration in the next section on Projects

Projects

The following are “Improvement Projects” that were begun earlier and continued into 2015:

Griggs and West Station Street Railroad Crossing Relocation to Station Street Completed

This is an Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) project that included Ohio Rail Commission, PUCO, Norfolk and the Village of Ashville. This is an $849,178 project started in 2013 which included $423,750 provided by OPWC ($317,813 Grant), other sources $340,000 (Ohio Railroad Commission, PUCO, and Norfolk), and local funds of $141,246. Vehicles and pedestrians now have a much safer way to travel and walk.

West Station Street from Scioto to Lexington Street Resurfacing Project 2015 Completed

2015 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Street Project Completed –with a $49,617 CDBG Grant and $9,450.04 Local Funding.

Ashville Pike/Long Street Project

Our collaborative work with the County Engineer and their OPWC Grant for $792,380.00 paved Ashville Pike/Long Street from State Route 762 to our intersection project at State Route 752 and Long Street. In addition to their expenditure our monetary obligation to this project was $74,571.66

State Route 752 and Long Street Intersection Project

This has turned into one of Ashville’s longest projects to get completed going back to 2010. OPWC is again one of the funding sources with a half million dollar grant and $325,108 Loan. We wish to thank Frontier, South Central, and Time-warner for deciding to bury their lines. The weather was very difficult and we appreciate their efforts. Decker Construction should soon appear to complete the intersection by the end of May.

Water Resource Recovery Facility

This is the largest project the village has undertaken. This will produce a 900,000 gallon plant that will meet the requirements established by the OhioEPA Findings and Orders. The evaluation of wastewater occurred in 2012 followed by design. Construction of the facility began March 21, 2016. This project when completed is estimated to be 13.4 million dollars. Funding sources include Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA), Ohio Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF), Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC), Division of Environmental & Financial Assistance (DEFA), and Ashville.    

2016 Planning Projects

2016 CDBG – Sidewalk on the west side of Long Street from Station to State Route 752. Estimated Grant $28,460.85 Local Funds $7,115.21 for a $35,576.06.

2016 Emergency Water Interconnect with South Bloomfield

2016-2017 Water Interconnect with Earnhart Hill Water Sewer District

Utility

In the Water Resource Recovery area as indicated above one of our major projects is to build a new sewer plant that will meet the village’s current and future needs. This project is based upon a mandate of the EPA and recommendations from AECOM, a consultant hired in 2013. As part of that mandate with OhioEPA we are working on Inflow and Infiltration (I&I). As part of this project we will consider how our need to replace the sewer plant can be done through the cooperative efforts with other entities. Our website had expanded monitoring of your utilities and payment. By following on our website the image beside the Facebook Logo you can reach the billing web-portal. Even if you do not pay on line you can see current and past activities on your account. 

In the Water Processing area we had three Special Environment Projects. The water department has completed two SEP’s. It now has emergency power back-up capabilities. It also replace four meters that have improved on the production efficiency of the facility. In 2016 we will be connecting a water interconnect with South Bloomfield. In 2016 we will be exploring a similar option with Earnhart Hill Water Sewer District.  

Service

A major undertaking that has resulted in a decrease in cost is a Consortium II Agreement that has brought curbside recycling to Ashville. We are in year two of that contract.

The village is committed to make our streets as safe as possible but this is an increasing challenge for all municipalities. This you can see from our projects above but it is difficult with costs so high and some revenue resources declining. We will continue to look for funding partners.

Parks and Recreation is looking at forming a Foundation to help support its future plans.

We need to review the aging equipment in the service department and see how we can economic replace that equipment.

Continue stormwater management as part of our I and I improvement plan.

Police

The police will continue to protect our community and we will continue to provide the police the resources to accomplish that objective.

We are working on continued drug and traffic enforcement. The Village is now involved with a task force which is developing plans to deal with the opiate issues in Ashville as part of Pickaway County

We are working on holding down the cost.

In 2015 the village purchased a Ford Police Interceptor SUV that was about $4,000 more than a Crown Vic which is no longer available. It also has enhanced capabilities for year round use, better fuel economy, and has twice the longevity

Planning and Zoning

This department work includes signage and uniform enforcement of codes in conjunction with the Police Department.

In Conclusion

I look forward to continuing to work for you. None of what we do would be possible if it wasn't for the great citizens we have, council members that work together well, various boards, and of course our loyal employees.

Thanks again, and for more information on what is happening in Ashville go to our website the address has not changed: www.ashvilleohio.gov