VILLAGE COUNCIL AWARDS $2.6M SEWER RE-BID CONTRACT TO J&H

Our New Boston Village Council met in special session this Friday afternoon to review and award bids for the upcoming village sewer project.   As some of you may know, this is the second time we have had to bid the work, after tentatively offering, and then rescinding, an award to Fields Excavating of Kitts Hill earlier in the month.  After another round of bidding, the council voted to offer a tentative bid contract to J & H Reinforcing and Structural Erectors, Inc. of Portsmouth.

Back in 2005, the Ohio Environment Protection Agency (EPA) began sending letters to the village asking for a long-term control sewer control plan that would divide the village's current combined sewer system into two separate lines, one sewer line and one storm water line.  Chief among their concerns is the village's combined sewer overflows (CSO), which is what occurs when too much water and sewage flow through the sewer lines.  When that happens, the excess flow will bypass the two pump stations and dump into the river.  The EPA is also concerned about instances of overflows happening inside people's basements.

The project was bid for three phases:  the Base Bid (storm sewer separation work from Munn's Run to Harrisonville Avenue), Alternative A (on Rhodes Avenue, from Harrisonville to Glenwood Avenue), and Alternative B (from Rhodes Avenue, up to Glenwood Avenue). 

It is important to mention that the Village has received some grant funding for part of this project but remaining costs will have to be paid by the village.   Time schedules for beginning of actual work will be made available in the near future.

Mike Payton
10-26-2013

SHORTY'S BARBERSHOP CELEBRATES 90 YEARS IN NEW BOSTON

This past week a milestone in New Boston history took place.  Shorty's Barbershop on Harrisonville Avenue celebrated 90 years of serving our local area.

It is no secret that in today's economy small business interests throughout the country are not given the priority needed for continued growth and productivity.  Most all tax credits and business incentives are aimed at big business corporations and franchises. 

A small, private business owner today must work long hours both during and after the doors close, to make sure he can actually open his doors the next day.  We owe a debt of gratitude to these private entrepreneur's for their dedication and passion in keeping what has been known as part of the "American Dream," alive and well under intensely difficult times.

Here in New Boston this small barbershop has provided hairstyling services to our local area for the past 90 years.  It is a true hometown barbershop where haircuts come with friendly talk on everything from sports to politics to jobs, families and pets.   True Americana!

James "Shorty" Mowery first opened "Shorty's" in 1923.  In the 1960s, Mowery sold the business to one of his barbers, Jerry Dodd.  Mr. Dodd operated the business until March of 2007 when he sold it to the current owner, Drew Rucker. 

Some of my first haircuts came at "Shorty's."  Earlier this week fellow councilman Dan Fetty and I had the pleasure of going over to the shop to congratulate Mr. Rucker.  The minute I walked in the place a flood of memories came rolling back.  Dad and I on Saturday morning would come in early, sit in the chairs and listen to the guys from the mill and railroad talk "shop" and of course everyone was always talking Friday night football, basketball and of course, Ohio State.   (By the way the shop is now decorated with the red and gray colors and Ohio State theme.)

Congratulations to Drew Rucker as well as one of the nicest men I ever had the pleasure of knowing, Jerry Dodd.   I know both Jerry and Shorty are looking down with pride.

Mike Payton
10-26-2013