COLUMBIANA Work to begin in spring on water, sewer service

City officials hope to award contracts for the work by the end of the year.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
COLUMBIANA -- Construction on a $3 million project to extend water and sewer services to the state Routes 14 and 7 area of the city will begin next spring.
City Manager Keith Chamberlin told city council Tuesday that the city has the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's approval to install water and sewer services along the state Route 14 corridor east of the city.
Chamberlin said city officials hope to advertise for bids soon and award contracts by the end of the year.
He said the assessments for the massive project will be done by petition. About 30 property owners will be assessed. Most of the affected area is business property, he said.
Landowners who own at least 75 percent of the property involved have agreed to sign a petition ahead of time, waiving their right to appeal their assessments.
Chamberlin said that means the project can proceed before the assessment and appeal process is completed. He said assessments have not been determined but property owners are aware of the cost. The final assessments will be calculated after the project is completed.
Time frame
Chamberlin said it takes about a year to complete the assessment process. Then property owners will have the option of paying the assessment in a lump sum, or along with their property taxes.
Chamberlin said 75 percent of the property to be assessed is the former Firestone Farms property.
A golf course is already operating on the land, and developer Wayne Bacon has also planned to build upscale housing in the area.
Chamberlin said, however, there are many other property owners along state Route 14 who want the city's water and sewer services, including the American Legion post and 4-Wheel Drive Hardware.
Chamberlin assured council that residential property owners will be treated fairly in the assessment process.