GENEVA – For Geneva City Manager Joseph Varckette, an old saying comes to mind when he thinks about the completion of the West Main Street Construction Project.
He’s reminded that “nothing that’s worth it ever comes easy.”
“Perhaps this project has been the poster child for that statement,” Varckette wrote in his report to council at its May 11th meeting.
Most likely wouldn’t argue that point about the completion of the project, which weather and asphalt availability have delayed the past couple weeks.
“That’s what’s delayed us to where we are today,” he said.
But Varckette is seeing some rays of sunshine regarding the project.
“There’s good news here as well,” Varckette told council at the meeting. He said the city is back on schedule.
He said it appears that the city is now in a position to proceed and close out the road portion of the project by the end of next week, as long as the weather cooperates.
In his report, Varckette said he was informed by the contractor that the asphalt plant “now has all materials and approvals needed to move forward with paving.”
He noted that the contractor received the approval letter from the Ohio Department of Transportation and there was just a few days of internal testing before paving could begin.
According to Varckette, the city is now scheduled with the contractor to begin paving on Monday, May 18.
“We are on schedule to get this started a week from tonight,” he told council.
He noted in his report that the week of May 18 matches up with desired weather temperatures, adding that rain forecasts will continue to be monitored.
According to Varckette, the contractor needs a 50-degree surface temperature to pave the final layer of the street.
“That should not be an issue next week,” he informed council.
Varckette said that upon the finish of paving, line striping will take place and then the city will be in a position to remove the barricades and fully open the road to two-way traffic.
“The good news is it’s moving forward,” he said.
In other updates, Varckette reported that:
• Things are starting to move on the Appalachian Community Grant Program (ACGP) Streetscape Phase II and Depot Street Storm Sewer Project with a pre-construction meeting scheduled with the contractor, Geauga Highway Co., and the contractor early next week
• The Lawn Street Waterline Replacement Project is moving “much quicker” than anticipated with the new water line in from Swan and Chestnut. He said that after exercising values May 11, plans were to tie the new line in May 12.
• Geneva Police Chief John Camper recently talked with Geneva Area School District Superintendent Dr. Paul Lombardo over possibly adding a second Safety Resource Officer (SRO) in the district.
• A letter of retirement was received from city Street Superintendent Mike Kovacic on April 24. Varckette said he expressed the city’s appreciation to him for his 31 years of service to the city and wished him and his family the best.
• Yard waste pickup service started May 11 with curbside pickups taking place every second and fourth Mondays of the month between May and October.
• Varckette and the city solicitor were to meet with Ashtabula County Commissioner Casey Kozlowski this week to talk about the temporary extension of the county’s lease agreement for Western County Court to April 30, 2027, seven months beyond the original date of September 2026.
Council President John Barbo made the following appointments to the Zoning Appeals Board: William Douglass, Serge Grenier, Christian DeLuca, City Manager Varckette, Travis Dombrowski, Amanda Briggs de Lavini and council member John Travis (as council representative).
Council agreed to cancel the May 25 council meeting due to the Memorial Day holiday.
