Ewing trustees approve Ash Street improvements

One street in Ewing will see improvements, following discussion during the Jan. 13 board of trustees meeting held at city hall.

Chairman Kane Fry called for comments about the condition of Ash Street, which runs parallel to Highway 275, near White Star Oil Company and Farmers Pride Cooperative.

"It's a muddy mess," said former village clerk Sharon Swails.

Fry asked village maintenance supervisor Alan Potter if river rock or red work would be appropriate for the area.

"There's a giant dip," Fry said, instructing Potter to grade the road.

The chairman said at one time, salt rock had been added.

"Now it's soggy all the time," he said.

Trustee Jeremy Tuttle asked if officials should consult the village engineer.

"If you're going to put rock, I don't think so. If you're going to fix it, then it should be engineered," Swails said.

Potter said once river rock is added, the road will be solid.

Fry instructed Potter to get bids from local businesses and have it applied.

Trustees discussed paying trustee Kent Stallbaum for snow removal performed on a Sunday.

Fry made a motion to approve $16 per hour for six hours, which was unanimously approved.

In other business, trustees:

• Approved an LB840 loan, for $65,000, with an interest rate of 4.125%, for Double H Bakery, LLC.

Per the agreement, monthly payments will be made to the village for 15 years and a lien will be placed on the building and equipment.

• Discussed an upgrade for the gWorks program. Clerk Jennifer Ramold said cost-wise, it's less than an upfront cost, easier to adjust as technology progesses and adds flexibility to work anywhere.

"With easier access, they're saying it's an simplified version, better security and you're able to sync data better," she said.

Trustee Katie Cunningham asked if desktop data backup will be necessary.

"That's what they're saying," Cunningham said.

Approval of the upgrade will lock in the program price for one year, according to Swails.

• Appointed Jennifer Ramold to serve as the new NCG Keno audit clerk.