Mayor announces one-time frozen meter replacement, ADA website fixes and $725,000 federal grant

At the Feb. 17 meeting Mayor Dunphy told council the Village will replace a water meter one time at no cost to a resident if the meter breaks due to freezing; residents will be informed they are responsible for paying for subsequent breaks.

"The Village has decided that if a water meter breaks due to freezing, the Village will replace it once at no cost to the resident," the mayor said, adding that recent meter breaks occurred in unheated spaces and are not a widespread problem. Council member Chris Scott asked whether leaving a tap to drip could prevent freezing; Service Director Ben Gregory confirmed that approach can help.

The mayor also reported the Village will make Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements to its website at a cost of less than $1,000 with an ongoing $500 annual fee for a required plug-in. Dunphy characterized the website work as modest in cost and scope.

In addition, Mayor Dunphy announced the Village received a federal "looping" grant through Rep. Sykes' office for just over $725,000, which the mayor said brings total grant funding obtained through that congressional partnership to more than $1.6 million. Council discussed timing for engineering meetings with OHM to plan related infrastructure work and possible strategic hydrant placement as part of project planning.

The council asked that guidance about frozen meters be included in the Village newsletter and that engineers consider an existing shutoff valve near empty lots during project planning.