By Jacquie Humphrey
FPS Correspondent
January 22, 2013
Leesville Village Council received an update on the status of village’s proposed sanitary sewer system project at its January meeting.
Ronnie Portz of Engineering Associates Inc. reported alternate funding information since learning the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) funding applied for in the fall was unsuccessful.
Although loss of the much-anticipated funding will cause the anticipated sewer rates to increase, Mayor Ed Alsept expressed his desire to keep the project moving forward and council agreed.
Alsept reported the Carroll County Engineer approved funding of five projects in the county, but the Leesville’s proposed sanitary sewer project is not among them, even though he said he and Portz met with county commissioners multiple times to plead Leesville’s case.
“The village has exhausted all grant funding options at this point,” Alsept said. Portz presented a spreadsheet of “Funding Scenarios” and explained them to council. Having a connection fee will enable the village to pay back the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) loan within 20 years, allowing the village to prepare for potential replacement costs that will be needed for equipment failure.
Adam Pittis, Conotton Valley Schools superintendent, visited council to say he would like to investigate the possibility of Conotton Valley High School being connected to the sewer line. Alsept will inform Engineering Associates, Inc. of this request.
In other business, council:
-LEARNED a full load of cinders has been delivered by the county for street and alley maintenance this winter.
-LEARNED Solicitor Jason Jackson will continue to investigate the Market Street right of way, and council approved a quote for wetland delineation in the amount of $3,100 from the Davey Resource Group.
-HEARD Fiscal Officer Sally Bernhart report the transition to new UAN software is complete and that W-4 forms for 2013 will be handed out at the February meeting.
-APPOINTED the following committees: John Traxler and Danny Baer, Street Committee; Kaitlin Bernhart and Danny Baer, Records committee; and Kaitlin Bernhard and Peggy Minder, Finance Committee.
-APPOINTED Peggy Minder as Council President for 2013.
-APPROVED spending up to $1,000 for the purchase of a bucket for the John Deere tractor.
-SET the next regular meeting for February 12 at 7 p.m. in village hall. |
