By Andrew Walsh
awalsh@wbcowqel.com
Jeffrey Drive will receive the paving job that its current situation requires, but the work will not be done until 2014. Paul Forster has been working with Chuck Kimmerline to square away what exactly needs done, but Kimmerline, aside from already having more work on his plate than he can complete this year, was leery about doing this type of project so late in the year. If an early winter were to strike before the paving was completely set up, the integrity of the job could be undermined.
This paving job will be done overtop the chip and seal job that has been the source of complaints from residents of Jeffrey Drive. Although this job has been defended by Kimmerline and other engineers that Forster and village clerk Julie Cronau have spoken too. If the street had been paved without this chip and seal, there is a very strong likelihood that in two to four years cracks would have reappeared in the same places that were covered. The chip and seal will serve as a base coat to seal in the cracks and allow the future pave job to have solid footing.
Council member Gert Durnwald, herself a resident of Jeffrey, has served as their spokeswoman. After hearing the report that work will not be completed until next year, Durnwald stated that this “wouldn’t satisfy the Jeffrey Drive people.” Forster assured her that “I want this street done properly,” and “it’s going to get fixed.” Mayor Ben Lash asked that this project go ahead as soon as possible in 2014, which for paving would mean April or May. Cronau said that she has asked for such consideration from Kimmerline in the past and he has obliged. The current quote for the job is $16,464.
It is setting up to be a busy spring for the village, as Forster has also been working with John Cronau of Studer Obringer, as well as DJ Plumbing and Heating, on renovations to the New Washington pool house. Currently being discussed are new changing areas, new split faced block on the outside of the changing areas, new shingles, new doors and new paint. The women’s changing area would be remodeled without being expanded. From a non-structural perspective, DJ Plumbing and Heating is looking to revamp the electricity and plumbing of the entire building, as there is a great deal of streamlining this would accomplish.
Forster said his discussions with Cronau have involved “what we can do to bring the price down and still do a good job,” and that he is set to have a joint meeting with the two contractors to discuss final details and working together. There is also possible consideration for breaking this job into chunks that could be tackled over the course of several years, to make this more palatable to the budget, and avoid the possibility of taking out a loan. The current bid from S & O is $39,000 for the construction work, but Cronau indicated that he was most likely overshooting, and $5260 for the electrical and $5750 for the plumbing.
Council moved to change its renewal date on Health Insurance. Gerri Lucius presented a note, by way of Julie Cronau, indicating that if the current renewal date of May 2, 2014 was maintained that Council would have to switch plans and do so at an increase of at least 10 percent. By bumping up the renewal date to December 1, 2013, they will be able to retain the current plan at an increase of only 3 percent. The deadline for this switch is October 15, 2013, so council acted quickly.
The next meeting will be at 7:00 pm, October 28, in the Village Hall.