Hopedale receives grants for wall, culvert projects

Mayor Mike Pelegreen opened discussion during the May 20 meeting on the Carson Street retaining wall and West Main Street culvert projects.

The retaining wall project will cost $492,937.89, while the culvert project will cost $279,830, for a total of $772,767.89, according to Pelegreen.

Pelegreen said the village was awarded two grants filed through U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli’s office. Hopedale ranked No. 27 out of 91 applications and received $117,529 for the West Main Street culvert project. The Carson Street wall project ranked No. 48 and received $207,034.

He said the Harrison County commissioners “picked up our share on this.”

“So, things are looking very good and we’ll just keep plugging away,” Pelegreen said, also referencing additional grant applications filed through Rulli’s office.

Pelegreen said cleanup day went well, with more than 80 loads of materials dropped off. He said about 25 mattresses were collected.

Council also passed Resolution 2026-03 for a new dump truck at an estimated cost of $123,522. The resolution authorizes the mayor and fiscal officer to enter into a contract and apply for and accept a purchase agreement. The purchase is part of the state purchasing program and was approved unanimously.

The village also ordered 169 street signs at a cost of $9,556.09. Pelegreen said that does not include poles or bolts, and the total could rise to $12,000 to $15,000.

Council also discussed its sweep account, an investment account that moves excess money into investments. Pelegreen asked how much council wanted to place into the account. Fiscal Officer Denise Geanangel said she did not want to leave just $50,000 available because large payments were coming due. She said $100,000 was enough for now.

Village Solicitor Jenna Hokes reviewed rules related to Geanangel’s role as investment authority and the establishment of approved accounts.

“To ensure the safety of the principal, it’d have to be an interest-bearing account and fully insured by the FDIC,” Hokes said.