NILES MVSD OKs initial step toward renovations

The next phase of capital improvements could cost more than $49 million.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- After a more than five-year break, capital improvements at the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District plant could be rolling again.
MVSD directors approved three resolutions Wednesday as a preliminary step for the improvements mandated by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
Chief Engineer David G. Tabak said the resolutions are necessary to submit to the OEPA to show MVSD is prepared to make improvements. Many of the improvement plans were drawn up in 1986, when renovations began, but were suspended in 1997 after a state audit.
In 1997, the first phase of improvements and a portion of the second phase were completed at a cost of more than $32 million. This continuation of the second phase -- which addresses three major areas -- could cost an additional $49 million.
Tabak said the resolutions, which do not commit any funding to the projects yet, show the MVSD is committed to studying what improvements are needed, addressing funding sources and eventually bidding the projects and awarding construction contracts.
What's planned
The projects include updating and renovating valves for 16 filters; heating, emergency power and electrical systems in the administration building; roofing, heating and electrical systems at the head house; lime unloading and dust control systems at the head house; and two additional settling basins and the recarbonation system in the treatment process.
Tabak also informed directors that a contract for electrical power from Ohio Edison expires at the end of the year, and the company has no plans to extend the current terms of the contract.
Ohio Edison agreed to a deal in 1998 to provide power to MVSD at a cost of 5.5 cents per kilowatt-hour for the first 1.2 million hours, and 4.5 cents for every kilowatt hour thereafter.
Tabak said the deal was desirable at the time because it allowed MVSD to provide a continuous pump schedule rather than pumping more at times when electrical demand was down, such as nights and evenings.
"We saved $450,000 last year with that straight pricing," he said.
Under Ohio Edison's new rate program, MVSD could see costs increase between $120,000 and $150,000 a year, Tabak said.
Tabak informed directors that he plans to seek pricing plans from other companies. Director Al Fleming also suggested that Tabak see if there is a way Ohio Edison could continue the current terms of the contract.
slshaulis@vindy.com