LEETONIA Plans to spend CDBG grants

Much of the money will be used for park improvements.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LEETONIA -- In spring 2003, the village will begin to reap the benefits of grants awarded this year.
Village Administrator Gary Phillips said Leetonia will receive state Community Development Block Grants and park and recreation grants. He said the grants will be used for improvements to the water system and parks.
Phillips said various agencies that awarded grants are starting to release the money.
With CDBGs, village crews will install a waterline from Main Street to St. Peter Street -- $129,790 -- and install about 20 new fire hydrants on the north side of town -- $59,900. Most of the new fire hydrants will replace defective or old hydrants, he said.
A $36,000 block grant will provide a generator for the water plant, Phillips said. The generator will be used to power the water plant in emergencies so the 850 water customers can have uninterrupted service.
An Ohio Department of Natural Resources NatureWorks grant will be used for parks and recreation improvements.
Items on list
Phillips said the grant of $11,629 with a local share of $3,879 will be used to buy playground, softball and baseball equipment, construct a softball backstop and make improvements to the baseball field at the corner of Hazel and State streets.
A grant from the ODNR litter prevention and recycling division will be used at the Cherry Valley Coke Ovens, Wick Park and the softball and baseball fields. The grant is for $11,903 with $3,968 from the village.
Phillips said that money will buy informational and directional signs for the parks and park benches, picnic tables and trash bins made of recycled plastic.
tullis@vindy.com