Grants approved for water projects

Grants approvedfor water projects
JAMESTOWN, Pa.-- Two municipal water system projects will get a helping hand from the state.
Sen. Robert Robbins of Greenville, R-50th, said the state Department of Environmental Protection has approved a $400,000 grant to the borough of Jamestown for replacement of water distribution lines serving about 800 homes.
The Stoneboro and Sandy Lake municipal water systems will get a $100,000 grant to help extend a water distribution line 1,000 feet to Lakeview High School, a move which would link the two systems.
Robbins said the Jamestown grant is part of a $4 million overhaul of the municipal water system there.
Linking the Stoneboro and Sandy Lake water systems will not only benefit Lakeview High School but also help a number of area municipalities that rely on those systems, he said.
Officials ponder911 proposals
SALEM -- Area public officials working on a proposed 911 system for Columbiana County are expected to decide in the next few weeks whether to create a basic system this year or hold out for a more sophisticated arrangement.
Fire and safety officials expressed concern at a meeting Tuesday that the basic system proposed wouldn't always directly route 911 calls to the proper department, which could slow responses.
A more sophisticated system, known as enhanced 911, would directly route calls and would use a computer database to provide emergency dispatchers with key information, such as the address from which a 911 call is originating.
Leetonia water shutoff
LEETONIA -- Water service will be shut off Thursday for at least four hours beginning about 8:30 a.m.
Village Administrator Gary Phillips said the water department will work on tap-ins to the water main on High Street.
The shutoff will affect these areas: High Street between Main and Pine streets; Main Street from Oak Street to the American Legion at 540 E. Main St.; Front Street from Walnut Street to Leetonia Tool at 142 Main St.; Oak, Elm, Walnut and Chestnut streets From Main to High streets.
Phillips said that when water service is restored, residents and businesses in the affected areas will be under an order to boil drinking water until further notice.
He said all village customers may experience water discoloration and pressure changes for a few days.
Seniors' mental health
LISBON -- A workshop on older adults and mental health sponsored by the Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board will be at noon May 8 at The Counseling Center, 40722 state Route 154.
Cathy Grizinski, associate director of Help Hotline Crisis Center, will give the presentation on the signs and symptoms of depression and other mental illnesses in older adults. Lunch will be provided, and continuing education credits are available.
There is no charge for the workshop, but seating is limited and registration is required. Call the mental health board office at (330) 424-0195 to register by Friday.
Arbor Day ceremony
LEETONIA -- An Arbor Day ceremony by The Leetonia Shade Tree Commission will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Wick Park. The shade tree commission is celebrating its 11th year as a Tree City U.S.A. Municipalities meet the criteria for the National Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City U.S.A. by having a tree commission, a tree ordinance, a comprehensive tree management plan and an Arbor Day observance.
Sales tax support
LISBON -- The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce supports passage of the 0.5 percent sales tax increase on Columbiana County's May 7 primary election ballot.
The increase is needed for county operations to continue working efficiently, the chamber said Tuesday.
"Columbiana County needs this tax simply to continue providing basic services to its residents at the level they've come to expect," said Barbara Ewing, the chamber's vice president of public policy.