As bad as 2009 was, the Village of Bluffton's budget dodged the financial bullet in the year just past.
According to Nancy Kindle, village fiscal officer, Bluffton's cash balances decreased by $295,008 in 2009. The streetscape program was completed at a cost of $230,244 and $600,000 of the town hall debt was retired. Those figures were revealed at the Jan. 11 council meeting - the first meeting of 2010.
It appears 2010 is a "breather" year for the Village of Blfufton budget. Bluffton council okayed its 2010 budget on Dec. 28. The general fund total is $2,138,316. That's lower than the 2009 general fund budget of $2,331,215.
The Bluffton board of zoning and appeals granted a rear yard variance in a hearing held Dec. 14.
The variance of eight feet was requested by petitioners Sean and JoLynn Burrell and Meg Burrell for a property at 218 S. Main St.
The purpose of hearing was to consider the variance for an addition to the house at the address. A garage and second story will be added to the back of the house into the rear yard.
As the season changes, village employees switch their work from fall to winter.
At the Dec. 14 Bluffton council meeting Jamie Mehaffie, village administrator, told council members that leaf pickup is completed. "We have received quotes for the grinding of the brush dump," he said. "The low quote was $9,125 and the high, $13,625. My plan is to have this completed as soon as possible so that that material will be ready for spring."
As the season changes, village employees switch their work from fall to winter.
At the Dec. 14 Bluffton council meeting Jamie Mehaffie, village administrator, told council members that leaf pickup is completed. "We have received quotes for the grinding of the brush dump," he said. "The low quote was $9,125 and the high, $13,625. My plan is to have this completed as soon as possible so that that material will be ready for spring."
Owners of Main Street buildings in the streetscape area were issued some friendly advice from the village concerning care of their sidewalks this winter.
"With the winter weather upon us, I want to remind everyone about using rock salt or ice melt products on the new streetscape concrete," said Jamie Mehaffie, village administrator.
"Please do not use it!" he said. "We searched everywhere for a product that is safe to use on new concrete that is less than one year old. We couldn't find anything."
