HUBBARD — With support from county commissioners, city officials are closer to having a senior center open four hours per day either later this year or in 2024.

Mayor Ben Kyle said at Tuesday’s council meeting that county commissioners have given their approval for $60,000 a year to offer programs and services four hours per day on weekdays at the Hubbard Senior Center.

He said the Trumbull County Senior Service Committee approved the request for senior center grant money, with the commissioners accepting the recommendation.

“The funds from the senior levy have been approved to go toward a Hubbard senior center. We are approved for a four-hour center, which would be a small senior center. We want to be able to offer a robust environment for seniors,” Kyle said.

He said the city originally applied for a six-hour per day center, which would have been a medium-size center according to guidelines of the senior levy.

Kyle said plans are to continue the current activities such as cards and Silver Sneakers activities, but begin adding more.

He said the city is hoping to have more programs either in late fall or early winter.

He said he has spoken to Mike Wilson, executive director of SCOPE, who will oversee the Hubbard center.

Officials said one concern is being able to provide meals to seniors with federal agencies cutting funding.

“We can set an example and try and figure out a way to bring the congregate meals back or help design a program to get food to these seniors,” Kyle said.

There are a few programs and groups who meet at the center one day a week. The center is located between the police department and the city municipal building.

WATERLINE WORK

In other matters, a waterline replacement and then paving and restoration work for Rebecca and Caroline avenues will be done in 2024 and will cost more than $2 million. The work will be on both streets from West Liberty Street to Myron Street.

The city will be putting the project out for bid shortly.

Kyle said the city should know in a few months if it will receive grant funding in addition to $775,000 in American Rescue Plan funds set aside for the project. Kyle said the city is working with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for loans to complete the project.

He said a combination of city funds, the Ohio EPA loan, and Ohio Public Works Commission paving funds will be used for the project.

“A year from now, both of those roads will be fully restored and have new waterlines and be fully repaved so they are not in the condition they are in now,” Kyle said.

OTHER PROJECTS

Also, funding through the Ohio Department of Transportation is being sought for Elmwood Avenue paving from the railroad tracks to East Liberty Street.

Kyle said Kirila Contractors will be in the city near the end of the month for the 2023 paving project.

Officials said they are expecting $250,000 in funding through House Bill 168 for sanitary upgrades, including replacing part of the sanitary line on Hall Avenue.

Kyle said officials from several communities this week will meet with Congressman David Joyce at his Warren office on ways he can help get funding to local municipalities for projects.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com