WEATHERSFIELD — Residents who live on a section of Anderson Morris Road have until Aug. 8 to let Trumbull County commissioners know whether they want to tie into a proposed water distribution line.

More than 20 residents met with the commissioners, Weathersfield trustees and other county officials for a public hearing Wednesday at the McKinley Heights Fire Department to hear about the $268,162 water improvement project.

It would be partly covered by $138,596 in American Rescue Plan funds and an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency water supply revolving loan of $119,565.

Trumbull County Sanitary Engineer Gary Newbrough said what is proposed is 850 linear feet of water main to be placed on the north side of Anderson Morris Road, eight service connections and three fire hydrants.

The area is on Anderson Morris Road from Stillwagon Road to 250 linear feet east of the intersection of Crain Drive in Weasthersfield. He said the waterline improvement project was the result of petitions submitted by residents to the commissioners in 2018 interested in a safe and reliable source of drinking water.

Newbrough said the county commissioners allocated $148,600 in ARP funds for the project, which helps lower the frontage cost to $60 per foot.

He said in order for the project to proceed, there needs to be 50% or more of the property owners based on frontage on that section of the street in favor of connecting. Newbrough said there are 10 properties that can be served by the waterline with eight service connections.

Residents can submit written comments to the commissioners, 160 High St. NW, Warren, 44483 until Aug. 8.

If commissioners receive enough support from residents to move forward, the project will begin in April 2026 and be completed in August 2026.

Officials said the road is in Weathersfield, but the project is part of the Niles city public water system so the water bills will be from Niles, which charges $7.50 per 1,000 gallons with the average household that uses 4,500 gallons per month paying $50.48 per month.

Resident and local Realtor Jason Altobelli asked if the project does not get enough approval would the ARP funds and other grants be still available.

“Can we get this funding again?”‘ he asked.

Altobelli said the project will be an opportunity for people to improve their properties and receive better water pressure.

Newbrough said if the project does not get the needed support, the ARP funds will be used for a different project.

“This will be the only chance to use the ARP funds,” he said

Resident Lisa Hall, who lives on another section of Anderson Morris, asked if the project can help her section since she lives four homes away from the project area. Newbrough said the other section for the waterline would need to be done before any other section of Anderson Morris Road.

Resident Susan Olive said she supports the project because the water pressure is very low on the street, which concerns her if there is ever a house fire.

“The water pressure is so low I do not see how they could ever put out a fire. With having city water, we will have better water pressure,” she said.

Other residents at the meeting said they had concerns with the project costs the property owners would be required to pay. Service connection costs are $2,000 per property for eight connections.

Newbrough said another project being planned near the area in the future is the Crain Drive sanitary sewer project that will include the neighborhood between Tibbets Wick Road and Anderson Morris Road and Anderson Morris Road from Crain Drive to Stillwagon Road.

The commissioners voted 3-0 to take the project under advisement until they see what comments are received.