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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2018
harrisonnewsherald.com
Water rate hike to affect Cadiz residents The reality is there has to be rate increases for everyone. Bob Allen, E.L. Robinson
By JD LONG
jim@harrisonnewsherald.com
CADIZ – The first of two public meetings on Cadiz sewer rates and future projects was held Tuesday evening at the Wallace Lodge. Bob Allen and Jack Ramsey from E.L. Robinson were present along with Cadiz Village Administrator Charley Bowman and several council members
including Mayor Ken Zitko. Disappointing to local officials was that only three members of the public came out to hear that their water-sewer rates will inevitably rise, as well as the explanation of why and what needs to be done. What was laid out was that the North Trunk Line was completed in 2015 with the South & Center Trunk Lines finished in 2016 at a cost of
$3,429,891, with just over $1 million via a grant and the remaining $2.3 million-plus as a loan. Also, the North Trunk Collection System was completed this year at a cost of around $880,000, which all came in the form of a loan. What followed was the bulk reason for the meetings and the big push in cost, which is the South and Center Collection System with an estimated cost of $8,750,000. How all of that will be paid for has not yet been determined but $1 million of an U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ grant has been secured. Allen stated that multiple grants have been applied for including a USDARD funding package, which will include a grant and loan. Funding through Ohio EPA has also been applied for.
County Home’s wastewater plant approved for renovation
Bowman stressed that there was no choice in the matter as the village is under Findings and Orders, which means an entity such as Cadiz, has been put on notice and the work must get done. Allen’s rate recommendations for a minimum of 1,000 gallons of usage were listed as $14.50, which is up from $9.90 according to Bowman. The debt service charge Allen announced was $5.75 “per 1,000 gallons,” which rose from $2.76. The asset replacement charge is going to be $4.75 “per customer” for a total customer bill of $25 per month, as explained by Allen. Bowman explained that there had been a “sewer surcharge” of $12 but they dropped that to the $4.75 amount. He said the total amount was still an overall increase even though that
third category was lowered. “The village is trying to consider low income users and protect them as much as possible for rate increases,” Allen began explaining. “The reality is there has to be rate increases for everyone. You only have so much movement or an ability to shift rates within the different classes of users.” He said the asset replacement charge ($4.75) is not going to be attached to consumption but will be a straight, monthly charge for each customer. “The reason we did that is that’s a relatively low cost…your debt service amount is going to go up, especially when the wastewater treatment plant project occurs, it’s going to have to go up more,” Allen stated. He said they
See WATER, PG. 2
Spinning away the day
treatment,” Wierzbicki explained. She ran down what the initial plan and benefits were such as, 26 beneficiaries of the decommission, require “at least” 51 percent to benefit of low to moderate income families with a cost of $327,800 with the CDBG grant kicking in $300,000. The amendment though, aims to rehabilitate the sand filters, UV disinfection and drip irrigation system (eliminate NPDES permit). Among the beneficiaries are “homes along U.S. 250, Dennison Ave., and Milliken Road to County Home WWTP.” Also, a one grinder pump station is also planned with 59 residents benefitting. She said “circumstances had changed” and said that the “county” decided in the long run that it would be in their best interest to rehabilitate the facility. She said the cost for the renovation would be slightly less
By JD LONG
jim@harrisonnewsherald.com
CADIZ – The initial intent for the County Home’s wastewater treatment plant on U.S. 250, was to have it decommissioned but the Harrison County Commissioners at Wednesday’s board meeting approved an amendment to the Critical Infrastructure Grant (CIG). Executive Director of OMEGA, Jeannette Wierzbicki, P.E., explained that a few years ago, OMEGA and the county worked to submit for a CIG through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), specifically for the “County Home project.” “And the intent of that project was to decommission the existing wastewater treatment plant at the County Home, install a pump station there and then convey the wastewater from the County Home to the village of Cadiz for
See HOME, PG. 3
CIC announces approval of grant to benefit new school By JD LONG
jim@harrisonnewsherald.com
CADIZ – The Capital Improvement Recreation Project that the Cadiz Community Improvement Corporation (CCIC) had been working on, which involves a $400,000 grant has finally been fully approved. President of the CCIC Mike Sliva announced that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) had accepted all plans and cost estimates for the trail at Husky Way, which leads to the new school. The small strip of road and sidewalk area, which needed separate approvals for building on school property, is now finally approved for the full $400,000. The grant was for trails and lighting to work in conjunction with the new school, Sliva stated. He said a small sign just a little larger than a license plate will be placed somewhere on or near Husky Way
Sports Huskies drop opener to Garaway Football time is here and the Huskies traveled to Amish Country last Friday where they went toe-to-toe with the Pirates until the team’s thin numbers led to a second half rout. See Page 6
commemorating its purpose. Also covered was an issue regarding potential support for two of the community’s important entities, Belmont College and the Harrison Community Hospital (HCH). “There are two outings, which I think are important for us to attend and support,” Sliva said regarding HCH and the college. He said they had in the past but neglected to do so “this past May.” “It behooves us to support our local college who has a location in our community and the hospital, who has a location in our community. So, I think it’s important to continue these events,” Sliva explained. One other issue approved by the board was the reimbursement to member Curtis Crawshaw for $400. Crawshaw spent the amount on behalf of the HCH’s recent annual foundation golf outing for a team he assembled to represent the village, according to Sliva.
NH Photo | ESTHER McCOY
Jim Felzer of Lancaster does his pottery work at the Great Trail Festival. He is trimming an apple baker dish on his pottery wheel. The Great Trail Festival kicked off last Saturday and continues Sept. 1, 2 & 3. The festival is located 2 miles South of Malvern on Rt. 43. GPS: Canton Rd., 44644. See more about the festival on pg. 10.
Events
School
Sally Buffalo Days makes for end-of-summer fun
Cornerstone ceremony conducted at construction site
Although the end of summer is near, it doesn’t mean the end of summer fun. Sally Buffalo Days is on the horizon and is set to be bigger than last year. See Page 8
A Cornerstone ceremony was conducted by area Masons at the construction site of the new Harrison Hills School. See Page 2
Last week’s question
Next week’s question
Should the sheriff’s office be moved to the armory?
Question
Do you agree that Cadiz’s water rates need to go up?
YES 87% (40 VOTES) NO 13% (6 VOTES)
YES • NO
Vote@HarrisonNewsHerald.com
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