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Friday's Internet Edition, 4:12 PM, May 9, 2008.
By JIM COOPER
The state Division of Highways is replacing the current concrete arch span, which carries Market Street over Spring Creek to Front Street. The bridge was built in 1923.
City councilmen Cecil Banks, David Holland and Pat Lance granted rights-of-way to the DOH during their meeting Thursday evening at the Spencer Municipal Building. Council members Toby Ford and Don Williams did not attend.
“It’s a big disturbance,” Mayor Terry Williams said of the project. The mayor said up to a dozen parking spots on the Bowman Street lot would be unavailable during the work. A barrier will be erected to separate the rest of the lot from the construction zone.
Motorists will leave Market and enter the parking lot to access a temporary bridge that will be installed downstream from the current bridge, which will be demolished.
No cost estimate has been announced for the bridge, which will have two lanes and sidewalks on each side. The current bridge has only one lane and one sidewalk.
The new bridge will have a similar distinctive high arch, the mayor said.
City projects manager Rob Miller said work should begin this summer and take about 90 days to complete. That could put completion near the date of the annual W.Va. Black Walnut Festival, set this year for Oct. 9-12.
The festival carnival would have to be moved from the Bowman lot to the main parking plaza if the construction is not finished, city officials said previously.
“It’s a good project,” Williams said. “We’re lucky to get it.”
Council learned that the city water system would provide water to the Walton Public Service District while one of the PSD’s storage tanks is refurbished and its treatment plant unable to produce water as a result. The mayor said the city would provide up to 100,000 gallons a day for three weeks. The Spencer and Walton systems are connected in the Bent Hill area along U.S. 119.
In another matter, Holland reported that a Washington Park area resident had asked the city to take action that would help motorists slow down on Capitol Street, a highway where the speed limit is set by the state. Holland noted that there was no signage announcing the park along the main road that might alert motorists of the presence of a park and children playing. The mayor noted that there had been no accidents in the area, but promised to look into having signs erected.
Council also:
• Discussed events planned for the city’s ongoing sesquicentennial celebration including a merchant’s sale May 1-8, a May 23 veterans’ prayer breakfast and re-dedication of the Heritage Park fountain and a June 6-7 citywide yard sale. A free downtown concert on Friday, June 27 will feature country singer Trent Tomlinson. Williams said the concert would begin with an opening act at 7:30 p.m., followed by Tomlinson at 8:30.
• Passed resolutions applying for separate state grants of $30,000 for the city and $12,000 for Spencer-Roane Volunteer Fire Dept. If approved, the city grant would be used for parks, parking lots and replacement of police and street department equipment. The fire department funds would go toward equipment.
• Heard from Miller that the water department had filed several civil actions in magistrate court in an attempt to collect unpaid bills. He said one person who had moved to Calhoun County had already come in to pay a bill of from $500-$600.
• Learned from Miller that water department personnel had attending a recent training session on security and safety sponsored by the West Virginia Rural Water Association.
• Heard from Williams that 15 tons of unwanted items had been collected during the annual citywide cleanup. Tree trimmings and a small amount of metal items were also collected. The countywide Stash the Trash collection will be Saturday, May 24 from 5-9 a.m. at the Bowman Street parking lot.
The next council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 5 at 6 p.m. |
