Residents to decide how to pay assessments

COLUMBIANA -- Fairfield Avenue and Bittersweet Drive residents have a few months to decide how they want to pay assessments for sewer services.
City Manager Keith Chamberlin said the city will begin a $387,975 project in the spring to extend sewer services to 30 homes on the city's southeast side.
Many of the septic systems in those homes need to be replaced, he said.
The city will borrow the money, then pay back the loans as the sewer assessments are paid.
Residents received letters several weeks ago about the amounts of their assessments.
He said most residents will pay about $7,500.
The city's assessment equalization board recently concluded its round of hearings from residents who wanted to appeal their assessments.
After the project is completed, final assessments will be determined and letters mailed to the homeowners, he said.
The residents can then choose whether to pay the assessment as a lump sum or in increments along with their property taxes.
He said council will vote Dec. 17 on a resolution to proceed with the project.
Considering bids and awarding a contract will take a few months, so construction should begin in March or April, he added.