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WARREN -- Bids are expected to be opened Friday for the long-awaited $3.357 million Heaton Chute sanitary sewer project in Weathersfield, which will be funded by almost $2.3 million in grants, including more than $570,000 in American Rescue Plan funds.
Trumbull County Sanitary Engineer Gary Newbrough told commissioners on Wednesday that 100 percent of the property owners are in favor of the project, according to results from a public hearing Sept. 1 at Niles McKinley High School.
"That was the only project I know of that was met by a standing ovation," said Commissioner Frank Fuda, who noted he has been working on this project about two decades dating back to his time when he was a Niles 1st Ward councilman.
Fuda praised Newbrough for overcoming obstacles for making this project come to fruition, including issues with the Niles Wastewater Treatment Plant accepting the sewage.
According to Newbrough's notes from the public hearing, the project is designed to receive flow from 77 existing structures located within the Heaton Chute neighborhood in Weathersfield, serving portions of state Route 169, Ashland Avenue, Beech Street, Broadway Avenue, Columbus Avenue, Emerson Avenue, Emmet Street, Grandview Avenue, Grove Street, Harrison Street and Heaton Boulevard.
Newbrough said the county's debt for the project is estimated to be about $966,000.
"In order to retire the (zero interest) loan from the Ohio EPA, a capital charge must be attached to monthly sanitary sewer bills," Newbrough stated.
This charge will be about $34.85 per month for the 77 users, with no additional assessments.
Referring to Newbrough's notes, the project involves the construction of about 12,440 linear feet of 8-inch PVC sanitary sewer pipe, 2,324 linear feet of 6-inch laterals within public rights of way, 47 pre-cast concrete manholes 2,175 linear feet of 4-inch HDPE sanitary force main and one sanitary lift pump station.
In another matter, Newbrough said he hopes to proceed with a water project along Elm Road in Bazetta with an application for $1.3 million in ARP funds approved by commissioners. Newbrough said he expects the assessments for that project to be $50 per foot. Design and engineering work as well as interest surveys have been completed for the project that is planned to bring Warren water to customers from the Timbercreek area to the Cortland city limits.
In their agenda, commissioners rescinded actions taken at the Oct. 19 meeting to purchase nine 2023 vehicles for the Sanitary Engineers Department from Valley Chevrolet in Wellington. Officials said the agenda item was rescinded because the dealer no longer is taking orders for 2023 models under the state purchasing contract.
Instead, commissioners on Wednesday authorized the purchase of two 2022 Ford F-250 pickup trucks from Klaben Ford of Warren for the department in the amount of $99,240. The two vehicles will replace a 2006 Ford F250 pickup with 136,000 miles and a 2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD with 68,000 miles and a rusted-through floorboard.
In a separate action, commissioners approved purchase of seven 2022 Ford F-150 pickups for the sanitary sewer department from Klaben for a total cost of $303,870. Five of the vehicles will replace a 2007 Dodge Ram with 197,000 miles; a 2013 GMC Sierra with 166,000 miles and transmission problems; a 2006 GMC Savana van that was sold at auction; a 2013 Dodge RAM Caravan with 169,000 miles and a 2007 GMC Canyon with 174,000 miles. Two of the new vehicles will be added to the plant fleet and for use by the survey crew, a project engineer or G.I.S. coordinator.