The village of Centertown is moving forward with a stormwater project on Main and Monroe streets without easements from property owners.
The Board of Trustees voted 3-1 at their June 25 meeting to submit plans to Bartlett & West, a civil engineering company in Jefferson City.
Property owner Richard Conn refused to sign an easement that he said allowed construction 25 feet into his car shop.
"The temporary construction easement was 25 feet into my building," Conn said. "Since I didn't sign the easement, now they're not going to redo the sidewalk."
The project includes a curb to guide water to a drain down Monroe Street. Main Street will be turned into a one-way route heading west for one block. Parking will change from straight to angled in front of Tammy's Restaurant and across the street. Striping will be added to an existing ADA parking spot.
Board Chairman Adam Brown said changes were made to move forward with the project.
"We have met with Bartlett & West, and what we have decided (is) in the best interest to moved the project along and get things done. The work is going to stay on the village side of the sidewalk," Brown said.
The village was awarded a $200,000 grant from the Cole County Commission in September. Construction must begin by July 1, 2020, but Bartlett & West engineer Gary Davis said the plan should begin before then.
Because of Missouri River flooding, potential problems could arise in gathering materials for contractors.
"A lot of construction materials use sand and gravel," Davis said. "The river is flooded, so a lot of the sand is sitting next to the river and where it's stretched out and it's harder to get to the materials."
Without the easements, Davis said, engineers will have to get creative to improve the village infrastructure without getting on private property. The project will go out to bid next year.
The board unanimously voted to enter an agreement with Mid Missouri Regional Planning Commission for a comprehensive plan. Executive Director David Bock said the plan will cost the village $5,000.
A public meeting to establish the strengths and weaknesses of the community will begin the planning process, Bock said. The village will also need to form a steering committee of about five members.
From there, a draft plan could be done within five months. The plan will help the village establish top priorities for projects and apply for grants.
"It would be used to help us for long-term planning for growth, for changes and anything that we need to do," Brown said. "It could be if the community feels they want some big memorial thing in town, great, if that's something that we can agree on that might become part of a long-term plan. If we want parks, if we want anything, it gives the Board of Trustees a vision into the community and what they want, and it helps us to determine where our ordinances and planning and everything we can go to for the future."
The next public Centertown Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. July 30.