The Bluffton board of zoning and appeals granted a rear yard variance in a hearing held Dec. 14.
The variance of eight feet was requested by petitioners Sean and JoLynn Burrell and Meg Burrell for a property at 218 S. Main St.
The purpose of hearing was to consider the variance for an addition to the house at the address. A garage and second story will be added to the back of the house into the rear yard.
As the season changes, village employees switch their work from fall to winter.
At the Dec. 14 Bluffton council meeting Jamie Mehaffie, village administrator, told council members that leaf pickup is completed. "We have received quotes for the grinding of the brush dump," he said. "The low quote was $9,125 and the high, $13,625. My plan is to have this completed as soon as possible so that that material will be ready for spring."
As the season changes, village employees switch their work from fall to winter.
At the Dec. 14 Bluffton council meeting Jamie Mehaffie, village administrator, told council members that leaf pickup is completed. "We have received quotes for the grinding of the brush dump," he said. "The low quote was $9,125 and the high, $13,625. My plan is to have this completed as soon as possible so that that material will be ready for spring."
Owners of Main Street buildings in the streetscape area were issued some friendly advice from the village concerning care of their sidewalks this winter.
"With the winter weather upon us, I want to remind everyone about using rock salt or ice melt products on the new streetscape concrete," said Jamie Mehaffie, village administrator.
"Please do not use it!" he said. "We searched everywhere for a product that is safe to use on new concrete that is less than one year old. We couldn't find anything."
Bluffton council on Nov. 9 took the first steps to renew its dispatch communication contract with Allen County.
Council okayed the first reading of legislation to issue a contract for the work to the sheriff's office. If approved, the contract will be in effect from Jan. 1, 2010, to June 30, 2013. The cost to the village will be $31,878 per year.
In other council action, Jamie Mehaffie, village administrator, reported that Miller Cable Co. is completing the installation of the streetlights on Main Street.
By Fred Steiner
Bluffton council discussed, but did not act upon a proposal on Oct. 26 that would mean no pay increases in 2010 for village employees. Generally the village has had annual salary increased close to the rate of inflation.
Since the village is experiencing lower revenue from its village income tax all village spending has slowed this year.
