Council’s packet attached to this story -
Bids opened for the Jefferson Street Phase II project next summer are encouraging, Jesse Blackburn, village administrator, informed Bluffton council members on Monday.

“The bids were opened on Dec. 3 and range from $838,539 to just over $1 million,” said Blackburn.

He added that the village engineering firm, Choice One, has provided the village with a bid review and the project should be awarded at the next council meeting.

The anticipated award price appears to be below $840,000, which is roughly 22 percent lower than the engineer’s estimate. Council’s finance and utilities committees will discuss funding options prior to a bid selection.

The phase II project takes Jefferson Street from the railroad to County Line Road. Phase I involved Jefferson Street from Main to the railroad.

In other council action, it was reported that 71 loads of leaves were picked up this fall and that project is completed.

Dan Bowden recognized
Dan Bowden was recognized by council on Monday. He is retiring after 45 years of service to the village. He served 31 years as a volunteer fireman including 20 years as fire chief.

As treatment operator of the waste water plant he saw to the return of over 8 billion gallons of safe water to Riley Creek and beyond.

It was noted at the meeting that Bowden accumulated over 4,251 hours, which amounts to 40 years of unused sick leave.

Jan Basinger, EMS chief, will take over Bowden’s duties at the first of the year. He informed council members that he would not be a 45-year village employee, however.