Athens trustees approve bank’s alley request
The Village of Athens Board voted 6-1 at Monday’s meeting to approve a request from Forward Bank to lower the grade of an alley between where its future building will be constructed and the Athens fire station. Village president Chuck Kornack voted against the bank’s request.
Forward Bank plans to construct an Athens branch on land it bought at the corner of Alfred and Mueller streets. The full village board on Monday approved a recommendation from the village street committee to lower the alley’s grade 12 to 14 inches to make it level with Forward Bank’s future parking lot that’ll be constructed along with its new building.
Kornack voted no because he felt the Athens Fire Commission should care about how the alley project will impact the fire station’s parking lot.
In other news:
_ The village board voted 6-0, with village board member Randy Decker abstaining, to allow Decker to extend High Street 550 lineal feet and construct a cul de sac at the end of it. Decker will pay for all costs associated with extending the street so people can buy lots on land he owns. The village will maintain the street after the construction project is completed.
_ Village board members voted to table a decision to change the 2021 street project from Caroline Street to Plisch Street. The village street committee at first wanted to reconstruct Caroline Street, but upon discovering the total cost would be too much, it decided to change the 2021 street project to Plisch Street which would be much less expensive. The village street committee will likely have a different recommendation for the full village board to consider voting on at its February meeting.
_ The village will allow the Athens Area Trails Association to build a walking trail behind Athens Veterinary Clinic and Athens High School at no cost to the village.
_ Chris Perkins said the village board sewer and water committee that he chairs is discussing the water tower painting project.
_ The village board voted to credit Black Rock Ready Mix $154.08 on its water bill. Village board members said a Black Rock Ready Mix employee accidentally turned on a water valve, which is supposed to remain off during winter, located outside of the building and the water went into the village sewer system.
