MAHONING COUNTY Officials dedicate sewer plant

The new system protects Meander Reservoir from sewage pollution.
ELLSWORTH -- Mahoning County commissioners have dedicated yet another rural sewage treatment plant and collection system -- this one to serve 40 homes around Diehl Lake.
Thursday's dedication at the Diehl Lake Clubhouse off state Route 45, followed by a week their dedication of a sewage treatment plant and collection system in Damascus.
The Diehl Lake system was built to eliminate pollution of that lake from failed septic systems. Diehl Lake flows into Meander Creek and Meander Reservoir, which is the drinking water source for Youngstown, Niles and surrounding communities.
Homeowners to be served by the new system have six months to tap in at their own expense.
Funding the system
The Diehl Lake plant and collection system, which cost $821,373, was funded by a $200,000 grant from the Ohio Public Works Commission and a $621,373 loan financed at 3.5 percent for 20 years by the Ohio Water Development Authority. Homeowners who make up the Diehl Lake Association will be paying off the loan, said Joseph Warino, county sanitary engineer.
A planned expansion of the plant would enable it to serve businesses at state Route 45 and U.S. Route 224 and Ellsworth Elementary School.
Jerry Grace, Ellsworth Township trustee chairman, said trustees plan to use $60,000 in revenue they expect to receive from the county sales tax next year toward expansion of the sewage collection system to serve that area.
"Those dollars create the seed money that you start matching, and you just continue to grow," Warino replied.
Connection to a sewer system automatically increases a home's value by $3,000 to $5,000, Commissioner David Ludt added.
In other action, the commissioners approved the closing Tuesday of Ellsworth Road between Mill Road and County Line Road for replacement of a culvert.
County Engineer Richard Marsico said the work is scheduled to be completed in one day, but could be extended to two days.