A Message From the Mayor

It is May 10th as I sit down to write my spring 2019, Newsletter to the residents. I was certain that I would be able to begin this letter by describing what a beautiful sunny day it is after all the rain we have had the past six weeks. No luck, it is raining again.

Many of you, I’m sure, remember that in 2016 the Village placed two levies on the ballot in an effort to raise additional revenue, as we contemplated how we were going to address the estimated two million dollars in road replacement, repair and maintenance projects projected over the next 5 years. The levies were not passed and were overwhelmingly defeated by the voters by a 70% to 30% margin.

Unfortunately, with the defeat of the levies, the Village was still faced with the estimated two million dollars in road replacement, repair and maintenance needs. Infrastructure, replacement, repair and maintenance of roads and bridges are at a critical stage in both Federal, state and local levels and is not a problem unique to the Village of Bentleyville.

I have persuaded Village Council that we cannot continue to ignore, deal with piecemeal, or continue to kick the can down the road for another Mayor and Council our road replacement repair and maintenance needs. They must be addressed now.

None of the projects that I will discuss later in the letter are subject to any Federal, State or County funding assistance, except the portion of Chagrin River Road between Solon Road and Miles Road. The Village did apply for County funding assistance for that project earlier in the year, but we were denied funding. The project did not score high enough in competition with other municipalities who submitted projects for County funding assistance. I am pleased to report that the Village did receive county funding for the Chagrin River Road repaving from Holbrook Road to the Solon line and that project has been completed.

Going forward, Village Council and I have decided to issue bonds in the approximate amount of $1,600,000.00 payable over a 10 to 20 year period to meet our obligation to the residents for the maintenance and repair of Village roads.

The following projects will be funded:

1. The reconstruction of the Pepperwood North Subdivision (Quartermane Circle and Pheasant Ct.)
2. Resurfacing of North Fork Drive and Riverview Ct.
3. Pavement repairs and Microsurfacing of Chagrin Valley Trails, Berkshire Park Dr. and Winding River Ct.\
4. In-Place Recycling and Microsurfacing of Chagrin River Rd., Solon Rd. to Miles Rd. (the Park Road)

The Bond Ordinances will be place on third reading at our June meeting. Anticipating passage, the bids for the projects will have been submitted by May 31, 2019 and if the bids are within the bond amounts as expected, the bonds will be funded, the projects approved and work is expected to commence on some or all of the projects in August of this year.

The Village will notify the residents directly affected by these projects, identifying the anticipated work start date.

INCOME TAX CREDIT REDUCTION

A resident, who works outside the Village in another taxing authority, pays income tax to the community where he or she works on the wages earned in that community and also pays a 1.00% income tax on those wages to Bentleyville. Currently the Village gives a credit toward Bentleyville income tax of 0.25% on the wages earned in another taxing authority.

I will be asking Village Council to pass legislation to reduce that credit from 0.25% to 0.125%. The additional revenue raised by reducing the credit will be used to pay toward the road bond debt service.

These road improvements in my opinion are vital to maintaining the quality and character of our community. I look forward to your comments and questions.

Leonard A. Spremulli, Mayor
Village of Bentleyville

 

NOTICES FOR RESIDENTS

First Energy Information

FirstEnergy-Customer-Communication-Tools-Fact-Sheet

Connect 4 Seniors Chore Referral Program

Connect 4 Seniors Chore Referral Program provides seniors with referrals for dependable paid workers. You will be provided with up to 3 separate referrals for the type of assistance you are requesting (i.e. carpentry, handyman, painting, etc.). Your referrals will have had reference checks completed by our volunteers and staff. You may then contact the referrals to discuss your needs. You decide and hire whomever you choose. The Chore Referral Program will continue with ongoing reference checks, by following up with you and others who have utilized the Connect 4 Seniors Chore Referral Program. They will find out if the job was completed and if the outcome was acceptable.

Contact the Solon Senior Center at (440) 349-6363 for more information.

Recycling Information & News

Waste Management Contact Number: (866) 797-9018

Community Recycling Bulletin VI Q12019 FINAL

AUTO AND DRIVER REGISTRATION FEES

Just a reminder – when you register for your auto license or your driver’s license, be sure to specify “Bentleyville” rather than just 44022. That way Bentleyville will get the local portion of your fee rather than having it go to Chagrin Falls. Thanks for your help.

 

FIRST ENERGY CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

There are many programs available to Ohio customers who are having difficulty paying their electric utility bills.  Please click this link First Energy Customer Assistance to review the programs to see if they may help you or someone you know.

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