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WELLSVILLE - Village officials recently received an update on roadwork being conducted by businesses in the area.
At the most recent council meeting, Mayor Bob Boley requested an update on the work being completed by Marathon and other businesses in the area, noting Marathon is spending $8 million on extra lanes and the village should be receiving a percentage of that.
Police Lt. Marsha Eisenhart said Hilcorp-Harvest put two lanes in and was generating about $1 million a day and that these companies are supposed to be paying fees of one percent to the village. She also noted that multiple companies are putting up buildings and not paying the fees to the village.
Boley said he sent certified letters to all the businesses saying he wanted a sit-down meeting with them and has not heard back from any of them.
Zoning Officer Rick Williams said the contractors are supposed to pay the fees, not the companies. Eisenhart noted that the fees are supposed to be paid before building begins, and they're not paying it.
Councilman Aaron Smith suggested the village send the companies bills for the fees that are owed with a daily late fee imposed if not paid by a set date. Smith asked Village Solicitor Chris Weeda to send letters to the company.
In other business, Eisenhart told council members that one part-time officer has resigned from the department to take a job closer to where he lives, and one full-time officer has confirmed he will be having surgery and be off until February, possibly longer. The part-time officer who was off due to being away for military service has returned and is able to work.
Also at the meeting, Fire Chief Barry Podwel said the Wellsville Fire Department will be holding a public safety event on Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with police and ambulance participating. It is a family friendly event with safety information provided and equipment demonstrations.
The fire department will be conducting training on the main flood well near the Marina on Oct. 17 with a rain date of Oct. 18. Main Street will be closed at the bridge from 9 a.m. until approximately 2 or 3 p.m.
Podwel also said that he still wants to switch dispatch to the county 911 system and asked if anyone has found any grants to help that along.
Weeda said he spoke with Council President Keith Thorn and Fiscal Officer Hoi Wah Yu, who were both absent, about a grant for communications that may solve most of the financial issues surrounding the issue and may cover the cost of any repeaters or radios.
During the public portion resident Ryan Burgess asked if there were any updates on any of the three buildings in the village falling down. Boley told him that the first mediation for the Five and Ten building is scheduled for November. A letter had been sent to the owner of the 356 Restaurant at 1025 Main St., which was supposed to be torn down. Weeda said he would send the owner a letter to see if it speeds up the process. Podwel said he sent the owner a certified letter, and it was returned with no signature.
The Wellsville Village Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in council chambers. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 6.