Although it is mid-summer, a time Bluffton traditionally slows to a halt, that’s not the case this year.

Several village projects are underway or will begin soon. Jesse Blackburn, village administrator, updated Bluffton council on several of these at the July 13 council session.

At the top of the list is legislation affecting storage of inoperative motor vehicles. 

The issue concerns the definition of the word “building.” A change was made to clear up that definition to disallow car ports without walls and tarps as vague descriptions of “buildings.”

Bluffton’s new “building” definition is … a permanent, stationary structure constructed or used for residential, business, industrial or public use. The structure has four walls, a roof and is attached permanently to the ground.

No one shall park, store, or keep … any motor vehicles … inoperable or unlicensed or both … in any residential district … unless stored or parked at all times in a garage or accessory building that meets the (new “building” definition).

Other village updates follow:
• Two dilapidated barns were removed from the property purchased by the village on Railroad Street. The removal project cost $16,50 and was performed by Gary Lugibihl Excavating. Original estimates reached $50,000.

Blackburn said savings were realized through work performed by the village public works department. A total of $1,398 was also realized as several items were able to be recycled. Clean-up of the property continues.

• Zoning and building permits for the first six months of 2020 breakdown this way: $1,499,504 for residential permits, and $20,550 for commercial and industrial permits, totaling $1,520,54. Watch the Icon for a breakdown of these permits coming soon.

• The water meter replacement project is half way toward completion. As of July 13, 727 meters are replaced and reprogrammed. Areas receiving new meters this month include Cherry, Mound, Geiger, Lawn and Jackson neighbors.

• Construction of Bluffton’s next pathway project will begin in August and covers Richland Drive to Riley Street, on the east side of Bentley. Utility poles are being set back this month.

• A $5,000 grant from Allen County Public Health’s “Creating Healthy Communities Program” will result with several bike racks to be placed through the downtown retail area this year. 

• More brush grinding takes place soon. A larger-than-normal summer brush pile resulted from wind storms in June. The village contracted with Tawa Mulch and Landscaping Supply, Findlay, for the brush grinding.

• A temporary discharge permit was granted to BJAAM Environmental, Inc., of Canal Fulton. The permit is for discharge of ground water being removed from monitoring wells at 205 S. Main St., and to be received at the Bluffton wastewater treatment plant.

The ground water is being treated with a system designed to treat wastewater to below primary drinking water standards.