By Rikki Cason
The Journal-Register
MEDINA —
Members of the Medina Village Board discussed an agreement between the towns of Shelby and Ridgeway and the village to resurface Bates Road. The resurfacing is part of phase two of a project designed to accommodate traffic to the ethanol plant and benefit others in the Medina industrial park and its future developments. Phase one of the project resurfaced the roadway from the ethanol plant driveway south to 31A. Phase two would complete to road from the driveway north to 31.
Taking the lead on the project, the Town of Shelby has been working to secure grant funding to resurface the road. The grant would cover the cost of the estimated $1.5 million project, except for a 5 percent local share. The three municipalities would split the share of $78,000. Because the entire west side of the road falls under village limits, they are being asked to contribute $38,925 to the project, a half of the local share.
“There’s no way we’d ever be able to resurface that road for the 50 percent of the 5 percent,” said DPW Superintendent Peter Houseknecht. “It’s a good deal. That road could never be done again that cheap. It’s kind of a short term opportunity.”
Houseknecht said that because the village controls most of the section of roadway and a lot of the traffic over the years are coming from businesses in the village, the 50 percent assessment is fair.
The board did have concerns on where the money would come from because it was not budgeted for this year, but Houseknecht said that because they are not paving any roads outside of the Gwinn Street project, the pavement reserve could be used.
The board voted to allow Mayor Adam Tabelski to sign the agreement for the project.
In other board news:
• The police department was given approval to begin the bid process for a new police car.
The village had budgeted $25,000, plus funds in the equipment budget to go towards the needed vehicle that will replace a car with 142,000 miles on it.
Police Chief Jose Avila said that they have two options, either a 2010 Dodge Charger or a Ford Crown Victoria. In the past the department would purchase just the vehicle and someone in the department would then have to wire the car and add on the bar light and other equipment themselves. Avila told the board that the two proposed vehicles would arrive at the stations wired and road ready, saving time and the overall cost. When it arrives, the only thing the department will have to do is have the vehicle painted and install their computer and radio system.
The Dodge Charger would cost the village $27,983 and the Ford Crown Vic would cost $29,800, not including what the village will get back for selling their current police car. Avila said that this, overall, will bring them well under the budgeted amount. The board voted to allow the department to go out for state bid on the 2010 Dodge Charger. Tabelski said that the new vehicle will bring diversity to the current fleet.
Avila said that the department has a vehicle with 8,000 miles, one with 70,000 miles and one with 100,000 miles. The new vehicle, arriving with zero miles, will put the department in good shape, he added.
