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BELPRE -- City workers will be removing hanging baskets in Civitan Park this weekend following a request by the owner of the utility poles where they have been installed.
At Belpre City Council's Sept. 25 meeting, Mayor Michael Lorentz said AEP requested the city remove the hanging baskets from the Civitan light poles due to the weight. The poles are fiberglass, and many are cracked from the weight or from vehicles striking them. Lorentz said he was working with the beautify Belpre group to find an alternate method for hanging baskets.
Lorentz gave an update on the situation at Monday's council meeting. He said the Belpre beautification committee had asked why the city wouldn't purchase the poles?
"If we do, they will then be metered and the city will then be the owner of the poles and all maintenance of them. According to the AEP rep they are $1,200 each. Remember, we do not have an electrician on staff. I have scheduled the baskets for removal on the 15th per AEP directions," he said.
Lorentz also reported the Girl Scouts of Black Diamond received a grant for trees and are working with the Belpre Tree Commission to start an orchard and grove of trees in Belpre. It was originally thought the lot on Main Street was suitable but there was no parking, he said.
"We have now chosen the land off Boulevard Drive where Campbell Street swings around. As this work progresses, we will communicate or present the final plan to the council," he said.
In other business, council approved the first reading of a resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies to be certified to the county auditor. Additional readings will be held at future council meetings.
The Finance Committee will be holding a series of meetings to prepare the 2024 budget: Oct. 23, Nov. 13, Nov. 27 and Dec. 11, all at 6:30 p.m. The Rules Committee will meet at 6:10 p.m. Oct. 23 for the purpose of updating city code.
Wayne Towner can be reached at wtowner@newsandsentinel.com