By KAREN PARKER | County Line Editor
Major street work in Ontario is imminent, the Ontario Village Board noted at its monthly meeting Monday.
Few street improvements have been done in recent years due to budget shortages, according to board president Mark Smith. This year the board was able include $10,000 in the budget for street repairs.
But the tally for the three projects most in need of attention added up to $30,000. Those projects include State Street between the Ontario Community Hall and the village square ball diamond, Park Street from Hillcrest Manor Apartments to the edge of town, and a portion of Division Street.
After a discussion, the board agreed to borrow from the state trust fund loan program to do all three projects, with a 3- to 5-year payback. Most of the work is expected to be completed before the village’s July 4 celebration.
Other business
• Division Street resident Duke McElhose complained to the board about the noise from the tractor pull held between his home and the fire station during the July 4 celebration.
McElhose alleged that it had rattled his windows and that he had found it intolerable.
Despite his concerns, the board did not agree to change the location. But it may be a moot point, as later in the meeting, the board decided to redo that street and agreed that the tractor pull no longer could be held in front of the Ontario Fire Station.
• The zoning on the Wayne Wallace and Shannon Leis property, which is on Highway 33 on the western edges of the village, was changed from industrial to commercial. Smith said this designation better represents the actual use of the property and would allow Wallace to construct a home related to his business.
• Operator’s licenses were approved for Jennifer Downing, Shelly Bass, Samantha Kachler and Alena Frye.
• Mary Szepi was reappointed to the library board.
• Liquid Engineers will inspect and clean the village reservoir for $2,730.
• Police Chief Philip Welch was instructed to board up the old mill building on Garden Street and put up signage prohibiting entrance to the property.
