New London council meets

New London Council approved two actions recommended by Police Chief Joe Hicks at the June 10 meeting, including approving the successful completion of Officer Marcus Wolk's probationary period, retroactive to May 29. Hicks said Wolk received a "very good" rating on his evaluation and, "He is a pleasure to have on staff." Also, Gerald Broeckel II was hired as a full-time officer, coming to the village from the Monroeville Police Department. He has also served with the Republic and Green Springs Departments. Both officers earn $20 an hour. Hicks was wearing one of the department's new bullet-proof vests (body armor), costing $14,000. This resulted from a 75 percent state grant and 25 percent donation from the Firelands Electric People Fund. In a written report Park Supervisor Joe Thomas announced the Country Concert scheduled for July 15, and council approved beer sales by the American Legion for the event. He thanked RWW Masonry for the wall built at the Recreation Park for the Recreation Hall of Fame, which will honor those who have donated time to making the park what it is today. Nomination forms for inductees are available at the village office. Council passed several routine ordinances, including one renewing a police and ambulance dispatching contract with the county sheriff. Members also discussed offering garbage cans customers could purchase to simplify garbage collection. Administrator Shawn Pickworth reported the following: The Coleman Ct. project is projected to take from July 1 to September 30. The village will receive $58,000 state funding for a 6-foot security fence around the Water Treatment Plant. Around 250 properties connected to the village water system will be inspected for backflow problems each year as required by the Ohio EPA. The village is meeting with the Army Corp of Engineers to address erosion issues at the reservoir pump station. Previously, the village has owned 20 percent of the reservoir water and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources 80percent. Council will receive paperwork to approve an additional 10 percent to the village. Work continues on easements for the Wastewater Project, and $260,000 more in grant funds has come in. This brings the total to $913,000 for the estimated just over $1 million project. Work continues on the Downtown Project, and the village will replace around 300 feet of storm sewer behind homes on N. Main, E. Hooker and E. Washburn Sts.