(Posted May 17, 2017)
By Sandi Latimer, Staff Writer
West Jefferson council adopted legislation May 15 that outlines services the village would provide to 43 acres in Jefferson Township up for annexation into the village. This comes after the annexation petition was filed May 10 with the Madison County commissioners.
The village would provide sanitary sewer service, potable water service, police service, road and street maintenance, ice and snow removal, storm water utility maintenance, zoning and all other public services and utilities provided to all other citizens and properties within the village.
Kroger wants to build a small-format grocery store on the north side of U.S. 40, just outside West Jefferson’s village limits to the east. The company wants village water and sewer, which requires annexation, but land can’t be annexed unless it is contiguous to village land.
Russ Miller, who owns land on the other side of the highway, is interested in developing some of his property into residential units. He is seeking annexation to allow Kroger to become a part of the village.
In other action, council approved the purchase of electricity and natural gas for government facilities from Interstate Gas Supply.
“We’ll be getting a better price than we are today,” said John Mitchell, public service director. He estimates the new contract would save the village $27,000 to $37,000 a year. Both contracts are for 36 months.
Also approved was the transfer of $31,000 from the general fund to operate the pool for the summer. Marci Darlington, parks and recreation director, said the pool will open June 6. She said some of the lifeguards still need training.
She also said the summer Lunch & Learn programs begin June 6 and will be held each Tuesday and Thursday. Addition-ally, work continues on raised-bed community gardens. Darlington is looking for individuals in wheelchairs to participate in the project with children to foster intergenerational gardening.
Mayor Ray Martin reminded residents that signs are not allowed on utility poles. “We’ve been seeing them popping up lately,” he said. “The signs will be taken down.”
