Cadiz council OKs loan deals
By KAY SEDGMER, Times Leader Staff WriterCADIZ - Village council approved two loan agreements after receiving the recommendations from its Community Improvement Corp. on Thursday evening.
Leaders approved a $15,000 loan to Lee and Wanda Ledger who have reopened the Marathon Station on East Market Street. The five-year fixed loan carries an interest rate of 5 percent and will be provided through the village's revolving loan fund.
The second agreement was penned with Schloss Media, David and Emily Schloss owners. They have purchased the former Baker building on South Main Street. Council approved a 6-month note for $245,000 dollars with an interest rate of 5 percent. "It's a secure loan," said Council President Curt Crawshaw.
In other financial matters, council appropriated an addition $25,000 for street construction maintenance and repair fund as an emergency.
Council also moved to adjust the employees pay period at the end of December. Village employees will be required to submit time cards by Dec. 22 and checks will be distributed on Dec. 23 after 3 p.m.
An ordinance to authorize an increase in the base pay rate for employees of the water and sewer department, street department and Sally Buffalo Park was tabled.
Council entertained first readings of two ordinances pertaining to contracts for the removal of sludge by Thomas A. White from the village's water treatment plant.
Leaf pick-up continues throughout the village but is mostly completed on weekends. Crawshaw said those wishing to have crews haul their bagged leaves should have the waste at curbside for collection.
Leaders also learned the street department had received a partial order of salt and anticipates additional deliver within the future. But, Councilman Paul Coffland warned of possible poor road conditions during heavy winter weather.
"We won't have totally clean streets each time there are snowflakes falling," he said. "We will do the best we can."
Higher prices for salt have communities throughout the area in similar situations. Plans are being made to keep streets and roadways passable while leaders are hoping for a mild winter.
Council entered into an executive session with Mayor Kenny Zitko, Clerk/Treasurer Amy Ossmond, Water and Sewer Superintendent Tom Carter and Board of Public Affairs President Bob Edgar. No action was taken following the session.
Resident Carol Stevens addressed council concerning the large deer herds within the village.
"I have Lymes disease and there are several people in town who are feeding deer," she said. "The deer carry the ticks that carry this disease. It is awful. I'm talking from experience."
She said she hopes people will stop putting food out for the animals. "The people who are putting food out for the deer are just inviting their families to go through what I'm going through. I love animals but I just want to tell people they aren't doing the animals or the people any favors."
Also addressing council was Joanne Guthrie who questioned a recent decision by the Board of Public Affairs to give themselves a pay increase of $25 per meeting.
"I read about it in the paper and I just thought that if they are in a financial crunchhow could this be done?" she asked. "That's a big increase. I thought they should be conserving. How can council justify this?"
"Council has no say in the matter," replied Crawshaw. "But none of them are eligible for the increase until they are re-elected. One member could be eligible in two years while the other two have three years left in their current terms. They won't be getting a pay increase until then."
He went on to tell Guthrie that she needed to take up the matter with the board.
"They made the decision," he said.
In addition, Carter, who serves as Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 269 said scouts will be dropping off collection bags at home throughout the community this Saturday.
"We ask residents to fill the bags with non-perishable food items and then place them on their porch on Nov. 15," he said. "The scouts will pick-up the bags and all the food will go to local food pantries."
He said the troop collected more than 1,300 food items last year and hope to surpass that number with this year's campaign.
Anyone wishing to donate additional food items or money should contact Carter at 942-8074.
Sedgmer may be reached at ksedgmer@timesleaderonline.com
