WEATHERSFIELD — With the help of the Trumbull County commissioners, Weathersfield will receive $750,000 through the Ohio Department of Development for the extension of wastewater collection lines in McKinley Heights.

Township Administrator David Rouan said homes in the McKinley Heights area are served by failing household septic treatment systems that discharge into nearby surface water.

The Ohio Department of Development has awarded $5.75 million in grants throughout the state to “help revitalize downtowns, provide vital public services, and upgrade water and sewer infrastructure in 14 communities across 13 counties,” according to a news release from the department.

ODD officials said funding comes from the Flexible Grant and Residential Public Infrastructure Grant programs, both supported through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

Rouan said this is additional money the county commissioners applied for, and additional Ohio Public Works Commission funds will be used for the project. He said the project has been discussed since 1995.

“They have been helping us with this project for a number of years to secure funding. They have secured funds through a number of sources. The $750,000 was the latest grant they have received,” Rouan said.

Rouan said the project is scheduled to start in 2026.

A public hearing has already been held.

Weathersfield Trustee Chairman Steve Gerberry said the sanitary sewer project will be on Crain Drive.

“We thank the sanitary engineer’s office for their help for the design work for the project, and the commissioners for helping to fund it with grants. We are ecstatic the funds are coming to the township,” Gerberry said.

Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development, said the awards will help improve the quality of life for Ohioans by creating accessible infrastructure for those with disabilities, ensuring a safe and sanitary living environment, and opening doors for future development opportunities.  

“The most impactful investments we can make in our communities are the ones that improve the lives of the people who call them home. Whether that’s ensuring families have access to clean water or by creating safer, more welcoming, and accessible spaces, we’re strengthening our communities from the ground up and laying the foundation for future growth across this great state,” Mihalik said in the news release.

Another project the township is preparing for is a waterline project on Anderson Morris Road.

A public hearing will be at 7 p.m. July 30 at the McKinley Heights Fire Department for citizen input on the project. Rouan said the residents of the area petitioned the commissioners to have waterlines installed.

The commissioners provided American Rescue Plan funds for the project. Rouan said a third project is a waterline on Stillwagon Road.

In other business at Tuesday’s meeting, trustees will seek a $2,500 cemetery grant through the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing.

Officials said the township will provide a local match of $2,500 to cover various expenses of repairs to headstones at Kerr Cemetery.

Geberry said it is a good program that helps families who have headstones that are damaged and in need of repairs.

Trustees also entered into a three-year agreement with Weathersfield schools to provide two school resource officers at $170,000 per year. The SROs provide security for Mineral Ridge High School and Seaborn Elementary School. SROs also attend school events such as football and basketball games.

The contract is effective Sept. 1 through Aug. 31, 2028.

The school board agrees to cooperate in any grant or other applications for funding for the SRO program.