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BELPRE -- Belpre City Council heard from a number of residents, businesspeople and officials supporting efforts to improve water service for its residents at Monday's council meeting.
At the last council meeting on July 10, council voted 4-3 to approve the second reading of a resolution authorizing the city to apply for, accept and enter into a Water Supply Revolving Loan Account agreement for design and/or construction of water facilities and designating a dedicated repayment source for the loan.
The loan would be for $100,400 for 0% interest over a five-year period.
During Monday's meeting, several people spoke in support of the resolution's passage, citing Belpre's need to upgrade its existing infrastructure to meet current and future needs, including the announcement of a hospital expansion two weeks ago.
Council voted 6-0, with one member absent, to approve the resolution's third reading.
The loan will cover design aspects of such a potential project and construction would be covered under a separate loan agreement which would need to be approved by council for a larger amount over a longer period.
In his mayor's report, Mayor Michael Lorentz said property on Hill Street near the water tank sight is again on the market. As was discussed earlier in council, he could not make a firm offer without council approval, but he did say that the city's $20,000 original offer was probably the top. He had not heard a reply as of Monday and would communicate to council once he heard more.
Lorentz said the Belpre Area Veterans are asking for more room at the front of Howes Grove Park to expand their veterans walk. He supports the idea but said council will need to draft and approve any such legislation.
He has continued meeting with the Mid-Ohio-Valley Transit Authority to discuss public transportation needs in the area. He has continued looking for additional funding to allow MOVTA to run a route in Belpre.
Wayne Towner can be reached at wtowner@newsandsentinel.com