Mahoning Co. announces 3rd try for sewer contract

The project is needed to help relieve problems from leaking septic tanks.
YOUNGSTOWN -- After two failed attempts to find a contractor to build a sewer system in Damascus, Mahoning County officials will try again.
Commissioners are seeking a third round of bids from contractors to build the Goshen Township system, which is now nearly a year behind schedule. Bids are to be opened May 2, said Joseph Warino, sanitary engineer.
Warino said project details have been reworked to help to bring this round of bids in under the $1.6 million limit.
"This is our third shot at it. It's like we're trying to fit a square peg in a round hole," Warino said.
Problems: The township has a problem with a number of failed septic tanks in the Damascus area. Some residents there have complained of fecal material in their drinking water because of leakage from the septic tanks.
When it's built, the system will serve about 200 homes, some of which are in Columbiana County because Damascus sits on the border between the two counties.
The first two bidding attempts were unsuccessful because all bids were too high. Under Ohio law, the county can accept a high bid only if it's less than 10 percent higher than the architect's estimated project cost.
Construction was originally to have started in July 2000.