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Work on Seminary Street nearly complete

The members of the Roanoke Town Council listened to an update on the renovations of Seminary Street, made a decision to move the town recycling site and discussed the pre-liminary 2016 budget at their meeting on Tuesday, June 2.

Phil Hibbert, of the structural engineering firm DLZ, gave updates on several projects in town. The renovation of Seminary Street will be completed soon, he said. The final concrete work will be finished in a few days, he added. The asphalt company is charging $119,974.03 for their work. Both Hibbert and the council members said they are pleased with how quickly the project is moving. Hibbert also touched on water, electrical and painting work in town. The finished water and well work maintenance on the water plant will cost $35,671.55. Cement block work around the water plant will start June 8, he noted. There was a previously approved bid submitted for electrical panel work as well. Painting, restoration and prep work for the water tower will cost $52,364.95.

The Roanoke Town Council noted the growing public concern on town recycling. Citi-zens voiced their concerns that the current recycling site is being used as a dump site containing items such as clothes and electronics. There are a few options to fix the problem, which include installing security cameras, fencing the property or moving sites. Council members discussed the pros and cons of each option. Security cameras are ex-pensive, need Internet access and need law enforcement backup. The property cannot be fenced because the city does not own the property. The idea of curbside recycling was introduced, but residents who live outside of town would no longer have a recycling option. Council members agreed that they want to encourage recycling. It was decided to close the current recycling site and move it across the street from Town Hall in the Christ United Methodist Church parking lot. Signs will be put up to distinguish trash from recycling dumpsters. It will later be assessed if security cameras are needed or if the town should move to curbside recycling.

The council also discussed the town’s preliminary 2016 budget. The preliminary budget hearing will be Aug. 12 at the Huntington County Courthouse. Council members approved allocating $35,000 to the street fund to save for a new utility truck.

There also was an approval for a 4 percent maximum raise for city employees. The lighting budget was received an increase of $25,000 to satisfy town lighting needs. The fire department budget was submitted as well.

In other business: • The Roanoke Town Council received a $500 a month offer followed by a $750 a month offer to rent the former library space at 126 N. Main St. and decided to counter with $1,000 a month if the location is fixed up. •The Roanoke Fall Festival put $1,479.94 into the Park Department donation fund to pur-chase and install two pieces of equipment. The festival committee members will see to the installation.