Members of council discussed various improvements at last night's city council meeting, including wellhead protection, water system improvements and street repair.
Councilman Elahu Gosney, D-At Large, introduced an ordinance to amend the city's wellhead protection plan. The proposed amendments to protect the city's drinking water supply include restrictions on harmful substances near the wellheads, according to the
ordinance.
What we're trying to do is reduce the level of risk in the wellhead protection areas
said Michael Cooper, an employee of the Athens City-County Health Department who has worked on the amendments to the plan.
Council will vote on the changes after the ordinance has been read three times.
Council also approved an ordinance to pave and repair five streets and a skate park this summer. The city will pave portions of North Congress Street, Palmer Street, Ohio Avenue, Longview Heights Road, Highland Avenue and the East State Street skate park, according to the ordinance.
Councilwoman Nancy Bain, D-3rd Ward, introduced an ordinance to repair the Curtis Street water system on the south side of Athens.
The city received stimulus money that included no-interest loans totaling about $800,000.
When there was an electrical failure ... there would be a problem with the distribution system and ... one of the other tanks would drain and then there would be no water on the south side in addition to no electricity Bain said.
City Council President Bill Bias (D) noted that during last year's Moms Weekend many students and their mothers lost water and electricity because of that problem.
Along with improving city infrastructure, members of council discussed committing $12,500 to the Community Improvement Corporation to keep Ed Map, an educational material company, within Athens County.
The Nelsonville company has outgrown its current building, said Todd Shelton, interim director of the Athens County Economic Developmental Council, at last week's council meeting.
Shelton said he has been working with the company to keep them in the area. The company is considering a move to the Old McBee Building on Ohio University's campus.
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Gail Burkhardt
