Hiram – After an extensive review of twelve candidates, twenty year police veteran Mr. Edward Samec, Jr. has been appointed by Mayor Lou Bertrand as the new Hiram Police Chief. Mr. Samec is a graduate of both Crestwood H.S. (1988) and the University of Akron. Ed served 14 years with the Hiram Police Department, then with Aurora and since 2005 with the Middlefield Police Department, the last two years as its Chief.
The bids to consolidate Hiram’s waste removal were opened by County Commissioners in September, 2011. Hiram Township has opted to accept the bid of J&J Refuse of Twinsburg, OH. In November, 2011, Village Council voted for R&R Sanitation, Inc. on first reading, however, J&J Refuse submitted the lowest bid for residential service. Legislation is now pending on council’s third and final reading for the Mayor’s signature into law on Tuesday, January 17, 2012.
As reported, the Community Challenge Planning Grant of $175,000 was submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In December this grant application was not accepted.
The grant to build Hiram’s sidewalks along the state routes was approved on January 3rd by AMATS. This Grant for approximately $273,000 was awarded only for newly-constructed sidewalks and not for replacement and repair of existing or old sidewalks.
The Village has also received word from AMATS that the grant for the Hiram Hike and Bike Trail has been approved for more than $800,000. This project will connect the Village and Hiram College Campus to the Biological Field Station and then to the Headwaters Trail.
As for the $50,000 NOPEC energy efficiency grant, the construction is now completed. The Rosser Building’s new insulated doors, windows, heating & A.C. and 80 gallon water heater are now installed.
As previously reported, the Village is awaiting further instructions from ODNR on how to proceed with teh 5.1 acres known as the old Hiram School property. The purchase was enabled by an award of $70,000 from teh Land and Water Conservation Fund and $15,912 under the Ohio Nature Works Grant Program administered by the ODNR. Total funds for the project: $85,912.
As for the Ohio Public Works Commission grant for Hinsdale Rd. Extension, that project has now been completed and the new road was dedicated in a public ceremony last month.
On December 6, 2011 the Planning and Zoning Commission approved with certain variances the acceptance of the dedication of Winrock Rd. north from new Hinsdale Extension to the cul de sac on Winrock Rd.
The next regular council meeting is January 17, 2012 at 7 p.m. http://www.hiramvillage.org
