By Matt Clevenger
For the Miami Valley Today
WEST MILTON — The West Milton Village Council is preparing to update its policy on fees and charges for subdivisions within the municipality of West Milton.
Council members heard the first reading of an ordinance amending subdivision fees during their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 9. Under the new ordinance, preliminary and final platt fees would be raised to $50; fees for minor subdivisions or lot splits would also be $50. Fees for large lots with more than one building site would be $50 per-acre, and the village would also begin collecting a 1.5% fee for the general municipal administration of required improvements.
“There are several sections of the code that need to be reviewed, revised and updated,” Municipal Manager Jeff Sheridan said.
“We updated some of the numbers,” Sheridan said. “The per lot fee used to be $10, and we’ve updated it to $50 to make it more current. We’ve also amended some of the language to make it more accurately represent the way the village operates.”
The village’s subdivision fees have not been updated since 1991.
Fees for municipal administration of required improvements are calculated using figures provided by applicants. “We ask the applicant to provide an estimate,” Sheridan said. “So far, we have taken them at their word. I would expect that if we have any question about the accuracy of the estimate, it would be appropriate for them to provide documentation.”
Council members plan to discuss the fee changes again during their monthly workshop meeting. “We can talk about it at workshop and hopefully have the final reading in December,” Sheridan said.
In other business, council members also approved a $19,718 contract with Kramer Roofing to repair one section of the roof at the former water treatment plant and a fourth contract change order from contractor VTF Excavating, LLC for the Ludlow Falls sewer project.
“We’re very familiar with Kramer, and I think their price was pretty good,” Service Director Ben Herron said. “We do have areas in that roof where we have vent pipes coming out from the old tanks; they are wide open. It’s not just roofing; they’re going to be getting rid of some piping and making repairs.”
Council members approved an additional $47,521 for a fourth contract change order for the Ludlow Falls sewer project. The change order will cover the cost of adding a portable generator for back-up power at the Ludlow Falls Main Lift Station, and the work required to seal three manholes on Donna Jane Court to alleviate odors caused by sanitary sewer flows transported from Ludlow Falls.
“We started getting some odor,” Utilities Department Supervisor Tim Swartztrauber said. “We need to seal the lids and seal the inside, and that should pretty much take care of that.”
The village has received a total of four contract change orders for the Ludlow Falls sewer project, which was originally approved as a $2,693,037.79 project in August of 2020. After the change orders, the project’s total adjusted contract amount is $2,905,001.25.
Council members also heard updates on several ongoing projects including the Stillwater Crossings development and new street lighting at the intersection of Wright Road and Jay Street. “The light that was there was rated as a one,” Herron said. “We put the next size up there, so there’s a tier two light up there now.”
“It really illuminated that intersection,” he said. “You’ll notice when you go through there; it definitely is a major improvement.”
Work at Stillwater Crossings is preparing to slow down for the winter. “There are some issues that need to be addressed,” Swartztrauber said. “That will all be taken care of on the punch list.”
“We’re trying to get a section of road done so they can have more lots,” he said. “When the asphalt plants shut down at the end of November, I don’t know if we’re going to make it or not. It’s going to depend on weather.”
Council members also heard an announcement about upcoming holiday activities. The village will host its annual holiday open houses downtown on Nov. 18, 19,20 and 21. “Starting Thursday through Sunday we have prizes and food, and all of the holiday décor is out,” Council Vice-Chairperson Sarah Copp said.
“It’s the biggest event that we have all year,” Copp said. November’s Third Thursday will also fall on the first day of the open houses.
The village is also planning a parade and Christmas tree lighting ceremony downtown on Saturday, Nov. 27. “We’re going to do a parade leading up to the lighting of the Christmas Tree downtown,” Vice-Mayor Scott Hurst said. “There’s going to be a carriage ride that will be free for everyone; there will also be hot chocolate and popcorn and some other snacks down there.”
“It’s going to be a really great time,” Hurst said. “We hope to see everyone down there.”
The parade will line-up at the Municipal Building at 5:30 p.m., and anyone is welcome to participate. “We’re going to line up here at the Municipal Building, and then we’ll go down State Route 48,” Copp said. “To end the parade, we’ll have Santa coming in the horse-drawn carriage; I think it will be a really fun time.”
The tree lighting ceremony will start at 6 p.m. “It starts at six o’clock,” Copp said. “Free pictures with Santa, you can come up with your cell phone and take pictures.”
“We’ll also have live instrumental music,” she said.
Council members also announced trash pick-up for Thursday will be done on Friday due to Veterans’ Day.
“Thursday trash pick-up will be on Friday,” Herron said. “If you have a Thursday pick-up day, we’ll be picking your trash up on Friday. We’ll also be doing bulk pick-up on Friday simultaneously.”
Council members adjourned their meeting for an executive session to discuss the appointment, employment, dismissal or discipline of a public employee or official. Council members’ next regularly scheduled meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22 in the municipal building.
