MEDINA, Ohio – Earlier this month the city learned of a grant opportunity that could help fund a much-needed improvement project at Spring Grove Cemetery.
Mayor Dennis Hanwell said the funding would come from the Ohio Division of Real Estate Professional Licensing and the Ohio Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission.
“We weren’t aware this grant money was available until July 3,” he said, adding that the city will now receive notices about grant funding available from these sources.
The maximum grant amount is $2,500 and Hanwell said that after talking with Service Director Nino Piccoli and Parks and Recreation Director Jansen Wehrley, it was decided to apply for the grant to help fund the repair of a leak in the hard-edged lake inside the cemetery. Hanwell said the total project cost is estimated at $4,000.
“It is possible it could be less than that,” he said. “But we need the ability to apply for the grant by the July 31 deadline which is before the time council returns from their break.”
Council approved legislation allowing the city to apply for the grant.
“I know it has bene a long process to identify the leak in the lake and hopefully this will help with the cost of mitigating the problem,” Councilor Dennie Simpson said.
City Engineer Patrick Patton also announced that the city would be making an application for grant money through the annual Ohio Public Works Commission. He said the city would apply for a grant of $530,000 and added Medina is also eligible to apply for an $85,000 interest free loan if desired. He said his department is looking at several different projects the grant could be used for and he would get back to council at their next meeting regarding those options.
