KENSINGTON Pollution brings cleanup order

A committee is taking on the job of developing a program for the handling of garbage and recyclables.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- Columbiana County commissioners are developing a solution to a sewage pollution problem in Kensington that has prompted a state cleanup order.
Commissioners said Wednesday that the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is demanding that the county devise a plan to stop pollution from faulty septic tanks in the Hanover Township community.
"They want it fixed; it's up to us to fix it," Commissioner Dave Cranmer said of the state order.
The Ohio EPA says raw sewage is getting into Sandy Creek and one of its tributaries.
Commissioners said they already are working with the county engineer to fix the problem. The solution will likely entail installing a municipal sewer system to replace the septic tanks.
Cranmer noted that nearby Hanoverton is under similar orders from the Ohio EPA.
What's considered: The county may work with the village to devise a fix that would aid both communities, Cranmer said.
One proposed remedy is construction of a treatment plant that would serve both, he added.
County officials will seek as much federal and state aid as possible to help pay for a sewer project, the cost of which has yet to be estimated, Cranmer said.
Commissioner Sean Logan said the Carroll-Columbiana-Harrison Solid Waste Management District has formed a committee to develop a new solid waste and recycling plan.
The state requires the plans to be updated every five years.
The district developed a new plan last year, but it failed to be adopted by the district. The failure was attributed partly to questions raised by some communities over a proposal for the district to build its own processing plant for recyclables.
Critics noted that the private sector already handles that task.
Contract: Commissioners entered into a contract with a Columbus law firm to provide advice in certain areas, including human resource management, civil service administration and labor relations. Downes, Hurst & amp; Fishel will be paid $130 an hour when its services are requested.
Typically the county prosecutor's office provides legal advice to commissioners. Downes, Hurst & amp; Fishel would handle matters that would fall beyond the expertise of the prosecutor's office.