COUNCIL BILLS AT BOTTOM OF THIS STORY

The Spring Street bridge is ready for paving. That's the word from Jamie Mehaffie, village administrator. Mehaffie told Bluffton council on Nov. 8 that the once the paving is completed the guard rails will be installed and the bridge will then be open to vehicular traffic.

Steve Chamberlain, village solicitor, told council that the annexation hearing for the South Dixie Highway area is on the Allen County Commissioners' calendar. The hearing is at 10 a.m., Jan. 11, in the commissioners' office.

According to Chamberlain the meeting will include a full hearing. It will enable any interested persons to speak for or against the proposed annexation. The commissioners have 30 days to issue a decision in the matter. An appeals process following whatever decision the commissioners' take on the issue.

Bluffton's tree commission finalized its fall planting plans. Fifty trees are part of this fall's plan, including the annual plantings and the plantings in conjunction with the Ash Borer grant that the village received from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

The village will contract with Stratton Greenhouse for the purchase and planting of the trees. The total cost is $9,240, or $185 per tree. According to the report given to council by the village administrator, that cost compares to $240 per tree charged to the village by North Branch Nursery last fall.

Leaf pick up continues. "I anticipate being completed with the project by Thanksgiving," said Mehaffie. "That is based on the recent weather and the rate which the leaves are falling in town. In the next couple of weeks we will seek estimates for grinding the brush dump. That will begin sometime in December."