Grantsville’s Town Council met for their December Council meeting, one member shy of the normal 5 person council. Councilman William Villers had been absent for three consecutive meetings causing the council to seek a replacement.
Members present were Mayor Robert Petrovsky, Recorder Judy Powell, Council Members, Linda Staton, Emilee Morgan, Cheryl Sturms and Kimberly Sweat.
Mayors communications:
Mayor Petrovsky addressed the vacancy of Councilman William Villers stating that an ad/article would be put in the news seeking interested persons for the position. A councilperson must be a resident of the Town of Grantsville.
The Mayor announced that the City would now pursue a water rate increase due to the fact that they are currently way below, Mt. Zion and Pleasant Hill Rates. He requested the council’s blessing to move forward with the necessary steps to the increase telling them that they could no longer sustain the cost of running the water department with the current rate. Mt. Zion PSD’s base rate is above $44 for 2000 gallons, while Grantsville’s base rate is $18.18 for 1500 gallons. The ordinance adoption may begin in January.
The second story of the city building was rented last month and it was discovered that the furnace in that are is now needing replaced. Last serviced in 2017, the 1983 model will roughly cost $2,700 for a replacement. Nathan James will be providing the work.
Emily Robinson informed the Mayor that she had found three grants to cover three different pieces of equipment for the Town and needs documentation to help her fill out the grant applications. They grants total a request amount of 150,000 and an additional grant in the amount of $50,000 for playground equipment for the park which will have handicapped accessibility. The grant decision will come around May of 2024. The grants required match but the match can be volunteer hours and other in kind contributions.
The Mayor reported that the playground equipment purchased with a Sisters grant should be here this week. Rubberized mulch will be placed around the equipment for safety.
The fence around the park will cost $1,750 and they are still waiting on the “fence people.”
John Canterbury, OIT for Grantsville Water plant passed his Class I operators and will now work toward getting the hours for certification.
Committees Reports:
The taco lunch fundraiser by the park committee netted $249 and there was a total of $220.00 in cash collected in November from donations. Councilwoman Linda Staton said that they hoped to do lunch fundraisers every other Friday in Town to continue to raise funds for the park.
Mayor Petrovsky has began the process of pursuing B&O taxes for. They are one of the few towns in the state that do not have it. He is waiting for a call from the State Tax commissioner for further instruction.
There has been no update on the dilapidated housing issues in Grantsville. Mayor Petrovsky told the council that they need to move ahead and create a Building Authority so that when the doors open for funding they’ll have that in place.
The owner of the Red Devil Inn has been notified to get rid of the garbage behind the establishment and to notify the city of their intentions within 10 days. If not a fine of $1000 and a fee of $1,200 will be assessed by the city for removal.
The Town continues to try to employ a Law enforcement officer but have been unable to find a certified individual. As an incentive for a certified officer, room and board will be provided free for a successful candidate hired.
Caroline Stewart of the MOVRC is the newest project coordinator and introduced herself to the council. Mayor Petrovsky said that the city felt abandoned by Luke Peters and we’re glad to Ms. Stewart on board.
A bank account will be set up to accept Opioid funds from the Opiod Settlement recently announced. Those funds must be used to fight the opioid .
The next council meeting will be January 8th, 2024 at 6 p.m .
