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Downtown Improvements Now Complete In Waterville

BY NANCY GAGNET — MIRROR REPORTER
A new and improved downtown Waterville, incl-uding a brand new clock tower and restroom facility, was finished just in time for the thousands who descended last weekend for the annual Roche de Boeuf Festival.
On September 25, officials held a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at the new 618-square-foot clock tower/restroom facility at the corner of Farnsworth Road and North Third Street.
“Today is a great day for Waterville,” declared Mayor Derek Merrin. “A lot of people put in a lot of time to see this to fruition.”
The four-sided clock tower has features that reflect the rich history of Waterville, including accent blocks donated by Waterville artist George Carruth.
Timber pergolas extend from the building to provide shade for future events such as farmers’ markets.
Past village officials, including former mayor Chuck Peyton and council members Joe Beckler and Pauline Glaza, were recognized during the ceremony.
Village administrator Jim Bagdonas also expressed gratitude to the planning, tree and historic district commissions as well as the Waterville Historical Society.
He also extended special appreciation to the downtown merchants.
“I know we had some anxious moments along the way, but they hung in there and we appreciate it,” he said.
Public works director Ken Blair received credit for his “diligence and dedication” on the project along with village council members.
“They had the vision and gave it full consideration and attention, and they were great stewards of public money,” Bagdonas said.
The project involved several improvements along North Third Street including new sidewalks, period streetlights, trees and seating.
In addition, a new irrigation system was installed as well as new water and gas mains, and overhead electric lines were replaced with underground lines. Poles were also removed and special signage was added. The street also received new asphalt paving.
Proudfoot Associates served as engineers for the clock tower facility, and the Buehrer Group served as architect.
John Squire, landscape architect, worked on the North Third Street project, and contractors The Spieker Co. and Crestline Paving and Excavating completed the work.
The project cost $899,000 and was completed on time.
Thus far, more than $1 million has been spent to renovate the entire downtown area.
Of that, the village has invested more than $500,000 and received $475,000 in grant money through three Community Development Block Grants from the state of Ohio.
Many property owners also participated in façade improvements and other building upgrades through the grant program.

Historical Society Activities Attract Crowd During Festival

BY BECKY JACOBS — MIRROR REPORTER
The day couldn’t have been better for a hometown festival.
At the Waterville Historical Society’s Robbins House and Sargent House museums on River Road, visitors stopped by during Saturday’s Roche de Boeuf festival to take part in the many activities.
Both young and old seemed to be having a good time touring the museums with stops to browse the society’s attic sale and to observe artists demonstrating lost arts – including spinning, lace making, weaving, chair caning, quilting, silhouettes, flower arranging and others.
Kids had fun creating tin ware to take home with hammer and nails. Both kids and parents alike joined in some old-fashioned sticky fun as they pulled taffy. The caramel taffy was then applied to apples for easy enjoyment.
The annual raffle was a hit, as usual, as tickets were sold for prizes donated by local artists.
Raffle winners included: Carol Streight, who won a vase by Brian Lonsway; Ruth Zajac, watercolor by Paige Koosed; Lowell Steusloff, print of oil painting by Jim White; Bud Lytle, jewelry by Baker O’Brien; Polly Albaugh, print of Pekin Mill; Linda Pezzino, handmade quilt by Virginia Nilssen.
Other raffle winners were: Clayton Ziegler, handmade cards by Betsy Christ; Earl Witzler, glass bee catcher; Harvey Popovich, oil painting by Patricia Carroll; Florence Winzeler, The Neighbor’s restaurant gift certificate; Jim Stoma, bobbin lace bookmark.
Along with the raffle, the historical society also held a silent auction. The winners included: Tony Braida, who won an original still life by Israel Abramofsky; Jody Sohnly, Dominick Labino vase; Sue Bagdonas, Brian Lonsway paperweight; Jim Gator, Brian Lonsway vase and oak wash stand; Darcy MacPherson, Deb Horvath vase.
Auction winners also included: Ron Labeau, antique student desk; John Pezzino, oak plant stand; Becky Jacobs, oak coat rack and autumn floral arrangement; Ellie Whitmer, gift package from Learning Express.


Citizens Ask Tax Questions During First AW School Board Forum

BY KAREN BERGER — MIRROR REPORTER
During the first of three public information sessions with Anthony Wayne school board members at Waterville Primary School on Monday, residents got an education about the 0.5 percent earned income tax that will be on the November 4 ballot.
With an earned income tax, only money earned through work will be taxable, explained levy campaign chairman Jim Hutchinson. Exempt from the tax will be retirement income from pensions and annuities, interest, dividends, Social Security, alimony, and capital and other gains.
Such a tax, compared to a property tax, is more appealing to those on a fixed income, said superintendent Dr. John Granger, but not as appealing to those families with two wage-earners.
“It will have an impact on the community, and my family as well, but after the property tax failed three times, we had to do something different,” said board member Doug Zimmerman.
The board voted on August 11 – just five days after the last failed property tax levy – to place an earned income tax levy on the ballot. Although that decision was made quickly, the alternative form of funding was on the radar since board member Ron Disher suggested the option earlier this year.
Many of the 5,000 over-60 voters in the district shared concerns about paying a property tax while on a fixed income, Granger said.
“To people who are retired, living on a fixed income, they’re probably going to like this,” Granger said. “If you’re a two-income household, you’re going to pay more than you would with a property tax. I wouldn’t label it a ‘fairer tax.’ It depends on what side of the fence you’re on.”
A 0.5 percent tax on a $50,000 salary would cost the earner $250 per year for the five-year life of the tax. The tax is based on the school district in which the wage-earner resides, not the district of the employer.
The employer would begin deducting 0.5 percent every pay period beginning on January 1, 2009. Those who are self-employed would need to do quarterly estimates.
The income tax would generate just over $3 million in the first year.
Monclova Township resident and trustee Chuck Hoecherl asked the board members if they had studied the impact of the tax on two-income households, especially with the rising costs of gasoline and food.
“I think we all suffer from levy fatigue. There are seven levies on the November ballot. Five are new or increases. How much money can you get from a turnip?” he said.
Zimmerman suggested looking at how much bang for the buck voters will get with the earned income tax – a school system that has the lowest cost per student in the Northern Lakes League, yet receives excellent ratings from the state.
“We haven’t rehired over 50 positions in the past two years,” he said. “We’re at bare bones.”
In addition, the non-teaching staff union has agreed to extend its current contract and not renegotiate for raises, district treasurer Kerri Johnson said.
Administrative staff members have agreed to not take a pay increase. Teachers did receive a 2.75 percent pay increase as stipulated in their contract, which is in its last year, Johnson said.
After learning that the district is the largest in Lucas County, with 76 square miles and 4,494 students, Waterville resident Mike Danko wondered how the district could take on any new students without building a new facility or “reducing our footprint” by shrinking the district’s boundaries.
“I see more people moving here and the need for new schools and more tax levies,” Danko said.
“People in this district don’t want to be given away to another district,” Granger said.
Other districts, such as Olentangy Local Schools north of Columbus, are continually on the ballot because of increasing enrollment, he added.
The district needs to pass the levy in order to begin emerging from fiscal caution, a label designated by the state, Johnson said.
If the earned income tax fails in November, the board will adhere to cuts it agreed to during its June board meeting, Granger said. Those changes would include a pay-to-participate method for sports and activities, eliminating bussing within two miles of the school, closing K-6 school buildings at the end of the day, and eliminating several teaching and staff positions. These reductions would result in $1.9 million in savings.
Additional public forums are scheduled for Monday, October 6 at 7:00 p.m. at Monclova Primary School and Tuesday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Whitehouse Primary School.
Information on the levy campaign is available at www.aw4kids.com. Campaign volunteers will have a booth at the Friday, October 3 home football game to provide information on the income tax and offer face painting and balloons for children.

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