The Icon has a printer-friendly Bluffton School District calendar for the 2010-11 school year available. Click here to obtain it. You may also go to The Icon "Forms" page to view it. On the "Forms" page you will find several other back-to-school pieces to download. The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 30.

A bit of Bluffton history is disappearing this week. Demolition of original 1896 drinking water storage basins at 111 Triplett Drive (north of Steinmetz soccer field) is being razed.

The following information from Nathan Jordan: Rebar in walls was large diameter and closely nested, as one would expect to see. Rebar in roof (now resting on the bottom) was narrow, as if drawn through a die-like wire or cable. Reportedly, the poured roof sections were added somewhere around the 1940s.

Bluffton council okayed legislation to close an unused alley in the village on Aug. 9. To view a copy of the legislation click on the image of the ordinance. To view the bills approved on Aug. 9 click here. To view the cash ledger click here. Or, go to The Icon "forms" page to view these documents.

Bluffton Mayor Fred Rodabaugh would like to have the now-closed car wash at the corner of Vance and Elm cleaned up. In a 20-minute Bluffton council meeting on Aug. 9, where little action except reports were given, the mayor closed the meeting stating:" I want something done (about the former car wash). It's a commercial area they (the owners) are ignoring. We've sent them letters. They haven't done anything for six months.

Bluffton council passed by emergency one ordinance and one resolution on July. Ordinance 22 authorizes the village solicitor to sign the petition requesting the common pleas court to establish a conservancy district known as the Blanchard Watershed Conservancy District. To read the ordinance click here.

Bluffton council learned on Monday that Beaverdam Contracting is the apparent low bidder in the North Dixie Highway water-sewer-interceptor project. Jamie Mehaffie, village administrator, told council that of the nine firms bidding, the Beaverdam company's bid was about 14 percent below the engineer's estimate.

The engineer's estimate is $958,776. Beaverdam Contracting's bid was $822,073. Mehaffie said that he anticipates action by council at its next meeting.

"(Awarding) the contract is contingent upon the annexation of the area," said Mehaffie.

Pages