WINTERSVILLE - The Fernwood Road sidewalk project is complete.
"We will now just have to water the grass around the new sidewalk for the next week or so and everything will be done," Administrator Walt Ziemba told village council Thursday. "It looks very good."
"This has been an ongoing project for three years now - constructing this sidewalk by Meridian Green," explained Mayor Bob Gale. "I want to personally thank the residents on Fernwood for being so cooperative. Now they have a nice sidewalk in front of their property. I also want to thank council for helping to get the grant for the project."
Ziemba then provided council an update on Steel Valley Regional Transit Authority ridership in the village.
"During May, our numbers were up and every month we have seen an increase in ridership," he explained. "The village's ridership is up 25 percent from 2011 to 2012, which is a very big accomplishment."
"A big factor is that residents now have to pay to ride the bus and the numbers are still up," added Gale. "This is really phenomenal."
The administrator also told council that the paving project involving the village and Cross Creek Township is tentatively set to start July 30.
"Lash Paving will have 90 days to complete the project," he said. "The streets being paved are Springdale, Ekey, Two Acre Drive, Simpson Alley, Short Street, Talbot and Oliver."
The project is being funded by a $133,000 grant as well as $75,000 from the village, with a share from the township.
The bids for the phase I of the wastewater treatment plant will go out next week, Ziemba said.
"The updates will include electrical work, clarifiers, belt presses, pumps and blowers," he stated. "We will open the bids on July 31 or Aug. 1. We have to have the big submitted by the middle of August, so everything is moving along fine."
Council also received its quarterly report from Ed Looman, executive director of Progress Alliance.
Looman discussed several job-creating projects that have landed in Wintersville since the first of the year. He singled out Heavy Duty Industrial Services, which is operating on Kragel Road. The Youngstown-based firm has created more than70 jobs and could have as many as 100 employees by the end of the year.
Further, he indicated shale industry-related employment numbers are beginning to rise throughout Jefferson County. According to figures compiled by Progress Alliance, roughly 200 jobs have been created to date by firms operating in the county.
"The numbers are starting to rise, and we will see more employment opportunities as the shale industry continues to grow here," he said.
Looman also updated council on several projects nearing completion at the Jefferson County Industrial Park, located off state Route 43.
"Our park continues to draw interest from shale-related companies," he pointed out. "The Jefferson County commissioners have been instrumental in bringing the current projects close to the finish line. I want to thank the commissioners for their ongoing cooperation and assistance."
Finally, he praised Eastern Gateway Community College and Jefferson County Connections for their ongoing efforts to prepare the local work force for employment in the industry.
In other business:
It was announced that Thunder in the Ville will be held June 29 -30 at Treasure Island Flea Market, with opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. on June 29 and fireworks at 10 p.m. on June 30.
The village offices will be closed on July 4 in observance of Independence Day. Wednesday's sanitation pick-up will be on July 3 that week.
Council approved a $2,000 roof repair to the village municipal building.
Wintersville United Methodist Church will hold its annual Strawberry Festival from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.
Council passed a motion to cancel its July 5 meeting. The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. July 19.
