By Kerry Rahm
krahm@wbcowqel.com
Keeping the village’s downtown sidewalks looking nice is going to be more of an expense than the New Washington Village Council originally figured.
A larger than expected sidewalk bid to repair New Washington’s streetscape came in to council at Monday night’s Village Council meeting. Mayor Ben Lash shared that a bid of $16,500 was submitted to repair the sidewalk areas along downtown.
The area would be prepped by a deep cleaning with a machine specifically made to clean concrete, which would give the bricks a more uniform appearance before being sealed with a “super diamond clear” sealer, according to Lash. The sealant is thought to last for approximately three years.
The village currently has $6,000 retained in streetscape money, and the area to be treated is almost an acre of concrete.
“We owe it to the community and the businesses to keep it up,” said Lash.
“It’s got to be done,” said council member Brian Agin, a sentiment which was echoed by fellow member Gary Langjahr.
Discussion was posed as to how the project may be tackled – all at once, block by block, or one large section at a time.
The room was quiet, then, Lash conveyed to the members that “We have all the information… we’ll give it until the next meeting to think about it.”
Because of newly appointed member Craig Niese, committee positions were shifted slightly, with Niese taking the reins on recycling from Langjahr, and Langjahr taking on Building and Grounds and Park and Pool business for the council.
President Joe Blum noticed that part of the front gate of the cemetery’s wrought iron fence was bent. Various repair methods were discussed, from pounding out the bent section, to having a blacksmith come out to look at the damage and possibly re-bending the iron back into place.
Village Administrator Norm Lucius said that he would assess the fence to find the best course of action to take to mend it.
Member Scott Hiler requested a Finance Committee meeting after the next village council meeting on July 25.
Village Solicitor Tim Obringer then suggested the council move to executive session in order to discuss personnel matters.