Onaway receives $128,000 private gift for courthouse clock and other work

Monday night the Onaway City Commission announced the receipt of a private donation from the estate of Paul and Mae Wagner to be used in conjunction with the restoration of the courthouse. City Manager Joe Hefele reported that the Wagner estate had made a bequest in the amount of $128,720.60 with the stipulation that a new, four-way clock is purchased for the courthouse as part of the on-going renovation project thus fulfilling the dream of many residents to see a clock in the tower.

In attendance at the meeting were: Mayor Gary Wregglesworth, Commissioners Jessie Palmer, Bernard Schmeltzer, Brad Porter, and Mel Perkins. Chief of police James Gibson described some of the benefits of using the LEIN system that stands for Law Enforcement Information Network and is linked to other crime databases for coordinating investigations. There was some discussion about tree removal around town, in particular, some dead trees around the Methodist church that need to be cleared away.

Commissioner Porter informed the commission that, in regards to his disclosure statement, his family has no further business affiliation with the Aurora Gas Company. Kay Perkins addressed the commission concerning local complaints that the music emanating from the Onaway Bar last Saturday was too loud. Chief of Police Gibson met with residents and the bar owner to resolve the matter. The bar agreed to take measures to hold down the sound on Friday, Saturday, and Wednesday late evenings. The City Manager presented his report to the commission. The main topic of discussion was how to respond to complaints about the quality of work, (or lack thereof), by the contractor on the sewer project.

Hefele also reported that he was waiting for supplemental information to back up the accusations from unhappy citizens about the poor workmanship, adding that, ?We also have been notified that the company will file some $30,000 in additional claims from this year.? He continued, ?We have yet to be ad

vised as to what that covers.? Hefele concluded by noting, ?No one will be happier than yours truly when this phase of the job is done.?

One problem is with the re-seeding and how well the subcontractor has executed this. Commissioner Mel Perkins said, ?It?s going to take a while for the seed to take hold.? Hefele replied that, ?To me, they did not do a very good job of restoring the grass after installing the pipes.? He continued, ?The contract says restoration will be as good or better than before.? The mayor asked, ?Isn?t there some kind of retainer at the end of the contract to ensure the work gets done??

The commission also decided to pursue a contract for a man and a half to manage the sewer facility. The commission received a request for a special use permit from Dave Kolasa to construct a 48-by60-foot body shop on his one-acre parcel behind the ambulance barn. It was decided to hold a public hearing at the next meeting, August 2.

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