HANOVERTON Council hears suggestions to cut cost of sewer plan

A former mayor asked council to add to the veterans plaque.
HANOVERTON -- Village council heard of some possible changes to the proposed sanitary sewer project to try to make it affordable for residents.
Mayor Dan Kibler said an extension has been requested from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency so officials can continue trying to lower the project cost before submitting plans for abating the pollution.
Last year, the EPA offered to abate pollution that is contaminating village waterways. A similar order was given to the Columbiana County commissioners for nearby Kensington, which is an unincorporated area. Both entities have joined forces to consider a plan to alleviate the problem. Up to this point, any plan considered has been too expensive to implement.
What's being considered
According to Kibler, under consideration is a plan to reroute the sewer to the three natural hollows within the village, rather than going through the village streets and alleyways. By following the natural fall of the land, the system could be gravity-fed.
Under this scenario, some homes in the village might be more than 400 feet from the sewer and Kibler said perhaps the village could pick up the cost for any pipeline extensions more than 400 feet.
Officials also are considering having the sewer lines at the level of the first floor of residences, rather than basement level. Kibler said that would eliminate significant excavation costs.
Residents with toilets in their basements would need to purchase a grinder system which would pump the wastewater upward to the sewer pipe, Kibler noted.
Kibler said the EPA is willing to extend the deadline for submission of abatement plans. Any plan to be submitted to the EPA will be the subject of a public hearing before submission, Kibler noted.
Also on agenda
In other matters, former mayor and councilman James Myers approached council about possible funding for an additional plaque at Betz Park on the monument. The front of the monument has listed the names of those from the village who served in World War II during 1941-45, Myers said.
Local veteran Dan Sanor approached Myers about having the names of veterans who have served since that time put on a plaque on the back of the monument.
Myers said he thought it was a good idea and had approached Hanover Township trustees about the matter, since Sanor's suggestion was to have all veterans born in the township listed. Myers said the trustees favored the proposal and are willing to commit some funding for the project.
The matter was referred to the village's parks committee, chaired by Jane Wilson, for consideration. Myers said donations would be sought also from local businesses, organizations and residents.