Despite delays by recent heavy rain, New Bloomfield's street improvement project is advancing.
The Board of Aldermen received a progress report Thursday night from Don Fischer, a representative of Allstate Consultants of Columbia.
The board approved a 40-day extension of the contract to complete the project, which is financed by a $365,000 general obligation bond issue.
Allstate Consultants has been hired by the city to supervise the citywide project. Most of the work has been done by Higgins Asphalt Co. of Tipton.
Fischer said major work in the project involves the area near the Elm Street and Route J intersection in the city.
Earlier, the city also made water main improvements in the city, including Elm Street.
The new city work includes stormwater improvements as well as grading and asphalt overlay work on numerous streets. They include Chevy Chase Lane, Elm Street, Mulberry Street, Cedar Street, Elwood Circle, Poplar Street, Park Street, Chestnut Street, Willow Drive, Oak Street, Country Club Drive, and Joshua Street.
In other action, the board approved a proposal to purchase 90 cubic yards of playground mulch to add six inches of protection around playground equipment at John B. Wilson Veterans Park.
City Supervisor Mike Rieken also recommended asphalt in the park be treated with two coats of protective sealant to prolong the life of the surface.
Rieken said the cost of the mulch and the sealant would be $2,700, and the board approved the plan.
The board also directed City Attorney Mark Warren to revise an ordinance relating to rental of the new pavilion erected recently in the park near the playground equipment.
The board agreed the new ordinance should set a flat fee of $25 a day to rent the new pavilion with a provision that renters will be charged with littering if they do not clean in and around the pavilion after its use.
In other business, the board:
• Approved an ordinance increasing the monthly rate for trash service and administration fees by $1.50, making trash service $13.82 per month for each trash receptacle.
• Approved the purchase of a $329 portable breath tester for the New Bloomfield Police Department.
• Approved the hiring of Gregory Mooney as a part-time police officer and the appointment of Dennis Sutton III as a reserve police officer for the New Bloomfield Police Department.