Bancroft council OKs up to $7,000 Beach Street drain repair

The Bancroft Village Council approved spending up to $7,000 from Major and Local funds to repair a drain tied to flooding near Beach and Sprague streets, according to minutes of the regular meeting held Aug. 12 at the Bancroft Municipal Complex, 503 W. Maple St.

The minutes state that water mains were replaced in 2000 and that a construction company destroyed the drain pipes and left them. Two weeks before the meeting, the minutes say, the resident at Beach and Sprague was "completely flooded because the water would not drain." The repair would require cutting across three roads.

Council member F. Simpson moved the spending and L. Fall supported it. The roll call recorded in the minutes was: Labadie, yes; Fall, yes; Simpson, yes; Boggetta, yes; and Barnum, yes. The motion carried.

On a second money item, the council approved spending up to $3,500 from Major and Local funds to buy processed road gravel, back run sand and sand for the village. The minutes say Brian Barnum stated he has donated sand to the village but has run out over the years. H. Boggetta moved and Simpson supported; the roll call again recorded Labadie, Fall, Simpson, Boggetta and Barnum voting yes.

Audit finding tied to municipal complex purchase

Auditors identified in the minutes as Erick and Devyn presented a findings report. The minutes say they found one deficiency that the board and CPA already knew about: expenditures were over budget by 10% or more and also exceeded 10% of total expenditures. The minutes attribute that to the purchase of the new municipal complex and state that the sale of the Community Hall "will help with this deficiency."

The council also voted to allow the Historical Society to store items in the back room, with the condition that the group provide a proposal of its plans and that the village not be responsible for the belongings. Boggetta moved and Simpson supported; the minutes record all yeas.

Reports and public comment

The DPW report said crews finished the berm to the range, that the dump truck has been overheating and a fan clutch was ordered, and that Brian and Robert completed two lead service lines. Chief Wilburn presented the police report. Under communications, the minutes say the water rate study "needs to be looked at and adjusted as needed."

During public comment, Flo Nichols asked whether the Lioness group could use the new municipal complex for its meetings; Barnum said the group would be able to continue holding meetings regularly. Nichols also submitted her resignation as secretary of the DDA board. Resident Robin Miller asked about repairs to Grand River Road; the minutes say that work will take place next year and that the grant is approved.

What happens next

The approved drain repair and materials purchases are capped at $7,000 and $3,500 respectively from Major and Local funds. The Historical Society is expected to submit a proposal of its storage plans, and the minutes indicate Grand River Road repairs are scheduled for next year. Council members B. Barnum, T. Holmes, H. Sammons, E. Labadie, F. Simpson, H. Boggetta and L. Fall were present; C. Hutchins and B. Monroe were absent. The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. and adjourned at 7:45 p.m.