HAYDEN J EMRAH
WZBD.com
The town of Monroe held its last monthly meeting of the year and among the discussions were improvements to some main roads, expansion of the compost site, as well as the completion and resolution of various administrative tasks.
Monroe is utilizing matched grant money to repave and maintain various roads around town. The project, which totals in at around $8,500, is part of the state’s Community Crossing Matching Grant, which helps rural communities in the upkeep of their roadworks. Areas that will be repaved as part of the project are Polk street–between highway 124 and Andrews Street–and Washington Street–between Polk and Park Streets–in addition to sealing cracked roads throughout town.
Another notable project for the benefit of Monroe is the expansion of the compost site to include a second concrete platform. The purpose for this new platform is for when the accumulated compost will be rendered into mulch come spring, and is part of the town’s initiative to make the area look cleaner, having installed the first concrete platform earlier this year. The 53’ x 25’ platform will cost an estimated $21,256.61, with the work to be completed by Schwartz Contracting.
The timeframe for the new platform is contingent on the schedule of the contractor, with Monroe town Superintendent Justin Shaffer hoping work on the project can start immediately following the council’s approval, which was given during the meeting. Other new additions to the town of Monroe in regards to the roads include the placement of two new signs on either side of town: engine braking signs to help reduce the noise of semi-trucks passing along highway 124.
There will also be a raise on trash utilities starting next year for residents in Monroe, who will have to pay $14.95 per month instead of the current $13.85. This is just in time for the rollout of the new option to pay Monroe utility services online instead of via mail or phone. Monroe will be utilizing paygov.us–the same service as Adams County–to provide the service, and it should be noted that bills exceeding $30 will have an additional 3% surcharge as per the website’s stipulations.
The town of Monroe is also looking for a morning crossing guard that can work from 7:30-8 a.m. to help students arrive safely at school. The pay rate for the job is $15 per hour, and those interested should contact Mike Geels at (260)701-0640.
Another order of business for the council was what to do with a recently awarded check from the Dayton Foundation. The donations, totaling $3,000, are unrestricted funds for the betterment of the town of Monroe. Deliberations went between council members and superintendent Justin Shaffer, who proposed that the town donate some of the money to children in need through the nonprofit United Way, and that the remaining funds could be set aside in a rainy day fund.
Council members were in agreement with the proposal, and discussed methods for setting up a separate town fund, as well as discussing whether the money could also be used towards either the utility assistance fund or funding for Monroe Days. As of the Dec. 14 meeting the money had yet to be received, so decisions on the matter will likely take place at the January meeting, which will also welcome the addition of two new members of the Monroe town council.
As the meeting concluded, it marked the last one for council members Debra Geissler and Jeff Johnson. Geissler was a member of the council for 20 years, helping many of the initiatives for the town in her tenured career serving as board president. Johnson was on the council for 8 years, and when asked for closing remarks, simply stated, “goodbye.”
“I just want to thank the town again for my time, I’ve enjoyed it. It’s been 20 years so I’m going to move onto something else,” said board President Debra Geissler on her 20 year career as a member of the Monroe town council. She went on to thank the various town departments in attendance for their dedicated work to ensure the safety, upkeep, expansion and improvements of the town.
The next Monroe town council will be held the first Thursday of January at 6 p.m., with newly appointed members Josh Geerken and David Bard.