SYRACUSE — The Village of Syracuse recently received final approval of its 2010 Ohio Public Works Commission application for street paving, according to Grants Administrator Fred Hoffman.

Hoffman, who attended the OPWC meeting, told Syracuse Village Council the street paving project is for a total of $76,000 with grant funds in the amount of $56,240 being approved. The village will have to pay a share of 26 percent of the total cost which translates into $19,670. The funds will be available July 1, 2010.

Hoffman also reported Mayor Eric Cunningham signed the NatureWorks grant agreement which was returned to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The total project cost is $15,620 with $11,715 of this being grant funded. The village must pay $3,905 as a match for this grant.

The NatureWorks grant will fund improvements at the Syracuse Ball Fields, including dugout repair for $6,400, fencing for $7,800, the required ODNR grant sign for $72, and a contingency fee of $1,348.

Hoffman told council the water project, funded in large part by the Appalachian Regional Commission, was moving toward completion. The project included installation of water lines and new fire hydrants, etc. Hoffman said the project was funded as follows: $189,640 from ARC, $20,000 from a Meigs County Community Development Block Grant, $20,000 from CDBG Distress Grant, $7,400 from Syracuse Water Department for a total cost of $237,040.

Hoffman said he had resubmitted a grant application for a fire department safety trailer. He also told council there were three other applications currently submitted in regards to the fire department and included grants for miscellaneous equipment, one for a mini-pumper and firehouse construction.

As for the CDBG-funded projects, Hoffman said the demolition of houses as well as the electrical upgrades and generator at the Syracuse Community Center are the only projects not completed yet.

An application has also been submitted to the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant for $20,000 for radios for the Syracuse Police Department, Hoffman said.

Since Hoffman was hired as grants administrator two years ago, the Village of Syracuse has received $834,441 in grants and donations.

In other business:

Council also opened the one bid it received for its 1975 fire truck. The bid, for $501.60, was rejected and council decided to place the truck on eBay for sale.

Cunningham appointed Richard Friend to the Syracuse-Racine Regional Sewer District Board.