By Carol McIntire
Editor
May 12, 2009
Carroll County Commissioner Tom Wheaton cleared the air on sewer protocol for the county during commissioners’ lone session last week.
He referred to comments he made during a meeting last Monday about the village of Carrollton and commissioners both applying for federal stimulus funds for infrastructure improvements at the Commerce Park. “I wish someone from the village would have attended this meeting,” he said. “We have a regional sewer district that was created in 2005. Our prosecutor (Prosecuting Attorney Donald R. Burns) said according to Ohio Revised Code, when you have a sewer district, no entity can put a sewer system or lines outside their village without approval of the district and commissioners.”
Wheaton was referring to a printout he received just prior to last Monday’s session indicating both the village of Carrollton and county commissioners applied for funds to update the sewer system that serves the Commerce Park as well as the water system.
Commissioners applied for $1 million to update the existing sewer plant at the Golden Age Retreat, which serves the Commerce Park, as well as drill two water wells to provide service for tenants in the Commerce Park.
Wheaton said the same form listed the village of Carrollton as an applicant for $1.6 million to replace existing water lines serving the Commerce Park, including 6,400 feet of 12-inch waterline, a 150 gallon per minute booster station and a 2,000 gallon water tank. A separate application asks for $1.5 million to install 1,800 feet of force sewer line, 1,800 feet of lateral sewer line, 7,800 feet of gravity line and two lift stations.
“I met with the village last January to discuss the water and sewer needs at the Commerce Park and, at that time, I told them we did not need village services and explained our plan,” Wheaton said. “Now there is a chance both projects will get thrown out or the wrong one will be funded. The village does not have permission to do the project.”
“I hope this situation doesn’t cause a problem,” stated Commissioner President Larry Garner. “That project is of the utmost importance to the people of Carroll County.”
“We still need to talk to the village,” added Wheaton. “This is an open invitation for them to come talk to us anytime.”
Hawk added that he feels the two entities have to work together to move the county forward.
In other business, commissioners:
-APPROVED an agreement between the Carroll County Bureau of Support and Maximus for software support services at a cost of $2,150.
-MET with Economic Development Director Wayne Chunat to discuss the legal aspects of a grant/loan application.
-APPROVED the status report for the 2008 Community Development Block Grant formula projects.
-ANNOUNCED they will advertise for bids for the Malvern waterline replacement project on N. Canton and W. Main streets until June 4 at 9:30 a.m. and open them at that time. |
