Village sets new water rates for customers

COAL GROVE — Coal Grove Village Council member Joe Ross tendered his resignation from council on Wednesday evening, noting his increased duties as acting police chief for the Ironton Police Department and the inability to give both that role and the village the attention they deserve.

“I can’t give the village 100 percent, and I think that isn’t fair to the village,” Ross said.

Nick McKnight moved to accept Ross’ resignation, and Tom McKnight seconded it, with all members voting “aye” except Ross, who abstained. Council then moved to appoint and swear in new member Andy Holmes, who Ross suggested as his replacement on council.

“I got put in the position by (Ironton Mayor Katrina Keith) on Feb. 11,” Ross explained. “I was appointed to the position at that time, but I’ve been on council here about a year and a half now. I spent six years on it prior, starting in 2008, prior to (being re-elected).”

While he loves serving the village, he said, “with everything I’ve got going on down in Ironton, with the acting chief’s job, I’m on call 24/7.”

This is in addition to continuing his duties as a detective.

“I’m still trying to acclimate myself to the acting chief (position),” he said. “I’m still doing detective work at the police department also. So with both jobs, and having to attend the Ironton City Council meetings and (other duties), I’m just kind of stretched thin right now. So I just felt it would be best for me to step down here and concentrate on my new job.”

After swearing in Holmes, council took action to pass new water fees. The action included passing an ordinance to amend the water policy to remove all current fees, to pass an ordinance relating to various water and sewage fees, and to amend and adopt an ordinance setting the new fees.

The new water fees for customers living outside the village limits sets the minimum rate at $40 for the first 2,500 gallons of usage per month, and at $8.25 per thousand gallons of usage over that. This rate shall remain in effect until March 31, 2018, at which time the rate for usage over 2,500 will increase to $9.25 per thousand gallons.

Water rates for customers inside the village will be $8.50 for the first 1,000 gallons each month, minimum bill, and $7 per thousand gallons of usage thereafter until March 31, 2018. At that point the rates for every thousand gallons over the initial one thousand will increase to $8.

They also moved to suspend the three reading rule on two ordinances. The first, ordinance, 2017-10, sets the date and time for the impound lot sale, for April 1 at 9 a.m. The second, 2017-02, allows ODOT to perform sign maintenance on U.S. 52 in the village.

The council also moved to enter into the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the village to purchase tax software from MITS Income.