CRESTON — At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Creston Village Board of Trustees heard a report from Village Engineer Kevin Bunge on moving forward with water tower cleaning work in the future.

Bunge said that work on the project is underway and he's been reaching out to firms that specialize in water tower cleaning work. The work would include cleaning of the interior and exterior of the water tower. Painting will not be part of the project, Bunge said.

Trustees expressed a desire to look into the water tower cleaning last month when discussing rust issues that have been seen recently in the village's water system. It's been estimated the water tower hasn't been cleaned in 4-5 years. Village officials are also investigating other potential fixes for the village's rust issue, including hydrant flushing and changing the layout of Creston's water system.

Village President Tom Byro mentioned during the meeting that he's been speaking with Comcast about the company's interest in potentially installing an antenna on Creston's water tower and leasing an acre of land on the ground for a shed and infrastructure to support the antenna.

After speaking with village trustees and officials, Byro said he would continue to work with Comcast on potentially coming to an agreement to bring to the board for approval. The proceeds from a potential agreement in the future could be used for upkeep of the water tower, Byro said.

Golf carts/UTVs

Trustees had a discussion Tuesday on potential changes to its current golf cart/UTV ordinance.

Creston currently requires the owners of golf carts and UTVs to register them with the village for a fee and to have certain features such as turning signals, insurance, and slow-moving vehicle signs. The village does not allow four-wheelers, dirt bikes, mini bikes or go carts.

The village has encountered issues with enforcement, people not registering their golf carts, unlicensed drivers, and speeding. Trustees expressed a desire Tuesday to keep its current ordinance, but do away with the fee it involves so as to not punish those who have been paying it so far. Trustees also directed Creston's village attorneys to change the name of the ordinance to make sure it reflects that it applies to UTVs as well as golf carts.

Enforcement of the ordinance is the biggest hurdle the village has because of the fact that it doesn't have a police department.

"I think the problem is everybody knows we're not enforcing it," Village Trustee Steve Katzman said. "They know there's an ordinance, but we don't enforce it, so they don't pay. And I think there's a misconception because we call it the golf cart ordinance, but it's for golf carts and UTVs."

Storm sewer

Bunge said during the meeting that plans are complete on a planned storm sewer project in the village. The next step in the process is talking to property owners to secure easements to allow for the work, which will take place in the next couple of weeks. After that step, the project will go out for bid.

"We're ready to bid the project," Bunge said. "But there's no point bidding the project until we have the easements agreed to so we don't have to change something. We'll focus on getting the door knocking done and getting the easements under control."

The project will consist of 36-inch storm sewer pipe being put in to replace broken drain tile and improve drainage in Creston. The storm sewer work will consist of adding pipe on both sides of the railroad tracks, but the current phase of it will not go under the tracks. The work was suggested due to issues with stormwater overflow.

Bunge said in August that the work could be done this year, and if not it would begin in the spring of 2025. He's estimated in the past that the project could roughly cost $180,000-200,000.

Food vendors

Trustees discussed a possible future ordinance for food vendors during the meeting. Creston currently does not have anything in its code for food vendors and food trucks on public property.

Trustees expressed a desire Tuesday for vendors on public property to have insurance and health department certification, and to not be blocking sidewalks or traffic.