By Andrew Walsh
awalsh@wbcowqel.com
A short-handed New Washington Village Council didn’t have lot on its plate but it continued its focus on keeping the community’s appearance up.
Although council members Forster and Hiler were both excused absent, a quorum was maintained but several larger discussion items were postponed for official action until all members of council can be present.
The two items that dominated discussion were the potential flower basket decorations for the streets, and what to do with the 603 Scharf Street property that the village recently acquired.
The flower baskets have been a summertime staple of the New Washington streetscape in recent summers, but with the Community Improvement Corporation winding down some of its activities, the village is in search of weekend waterers. This was a task that was typically handled by the CIC, with the village donating the watering during the week. A few options are being considered but the Street Dept chair wanted final considerations to be made with Hiler and Forster present.
With the Scharf Street property, the village is considering whether to raze the building that sits on the property, or to go ahead and attempt a sale as is. The property was acquired by the village after it went unsold through two sheriff’s auctions. Approximately $5,000 were lost in unpaid taxes and fees when the property was acquired.
Resolution 1261 was passed to approve a raise for the ambulance squad. They were bumped from $7 to $10 a run. Also in Safety Committee news, the next meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. on May 5, and during this meeting prospective hires for the Police Department will be discussed.