Published: July 21, 2009 10:16 pm      

Catlin approves drainage improvements

CATLIN — Village board members approved their major motor fuel tax project for the year Tuesday, which will help to alleviate water drainage issues in a section of town.

Commissioners approved a $57,000 drainage ditch improvement project for the east side of Westwood Street and on the south side of Northview Street.

Mayor Clayton Woodard said residents with homes in that area experience flooding problems when seasonal rains occur. Front yards will fill with water and some crawlspaces also become flooded.

Ditches that are currently in the area aren’t functioning properly, with culverts not running the way they should. This upgrade will fix those issues, with bids being let immediately and work beginning as soon as possible.

The board paid for the project with $50,000 of motor fuel tax funds and also allocated $10,000 of general fund money to complete payment for the project.

The work on Westwood will be about two-thirds of the cost, while Northview will take up the remaining one-third of the estimated money needed to complete the job.

Village officials also wanted to complete ditch-work on the north side Northview and do some gutter repair throughout the village, but funds weren’t available this year. Woodard said they will probably go back to improving streets with MFT monies next year and will revisit those projects the subsequent year.

In other business, commissioners:

-- Approved to have the basketball court at Catlin Park extended west towards the shelter so that multiple games can be played concurrently.

Also, sidewalks will be constructed on the west side of the park extending from the disabled parking to the new swings that were recently installed. Both improvements are part of the master plan of improvements for the park.

The concrete work will be done by Wade Anderson Contracting of Catlin for $8,600.

-- Approved an ice cream truck permit for Marion Carlock of Georgetown with the restriction that the truck would have to remain stationary at the IGA parking lot rather than rolling through the streets for fear of a child being involved in an accident.

-- Purchased a new storm water pump to replace an older one for $6,450. Also, a re-build kit for a sewer pump was purchased to keep on-hand for future service from Walter Danville Corp. of Danville at a cost not to exceed $2,000.

-- Approved to have the asphalt improved on the east side of Douglas Street in front of Robison Funeral Chapel and Bob Schifo Photography for better parking. The work will be done by Midwest Asphalt Company of Tilton for $6,440.

-- Approved to have Josh Keith Construction of Catlin remove brush and trees that were downed in a recent storm at Butler Branch Park at the end of Maple Leaf Drive at a cost not to exceed $1,600.

-- Are still actively pursuing a qualified candidate to fill the vacancy of village treasurer.

-- Will have surveys regarding the Danville Area Transportation Study on a bicycle plan for the whole area at the library and at village hall for residents to fill out. The forms should be completed by the end of August.

-- Heard a report from Woodard that he received word that the village will be receiving $40,000 they requested via the capital bill that was recently signed by the governor.

Woodard said the money is earmarked to be used at the park for ADA accessible playground equipment and filler.

What’s Next

The Catlin Village Board meets at 7 p.m. Aug. 4 at the village hall.