SPRINGFIELD TWP. Renewal of police levy to be on ballot

The sanitary-sewer project is closer to becoming a reality.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW SPRINGFIELD -- A five-year renewal of the 2-mill Springfield Township police levy will be on the November ballot.
Township trustees unanimously agreed Wednesday to keep the levy the same as it has been for the last 10 years. It brings in about $116,000 annually. The millage will cost homeowners 20 cents for each $100 of property valuation.
Trustee Shirley Heck said the Petersburg sanitary-sewer project has 67 percent of the required funding with the recent announcement by Mahoning County commissioners that they will commit $100,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds to the project.
Heck said bids will be sought soon. She said about $1.6 million has been committed for the project, which originally was estimated at $2.7 million but may cost $3 million with inflation.
Funding sources
In addition to the $100,000 grant, funding sources include, $108,572 in county sales tax revenues, $100,000 from the township, $300,000 from the county solid waste management district, $450,000 from state Issue 2 funds and $500,000 from a water and sanitary sewer CDBG program.
Also, Waste Management Inc. in Springfield Township has committed an unspecified amount to the project.
The balance will be funded by a combination loan/grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The 164 homeowners included in the project will pay only a hook-up fee.
The sewer is desperately needed in Petersburg, where, Heck said, 31 percent of the drinking water wells have fecal coliform bacteria.
In 1976, the county health board declared the area hazardous. Heck said 73 percent of the homes to be served by the sewer are low to moderate income residents. Only 51 percent must meet the income standard for the project to qualify for loans and grants.
Other business
Trustees also approved paying a $3,444 initial fee to the Frank Gates Service Company, Columbus, which will provide workers' compensation insurance for one year beginning July 1. The insurance will cost the township $14,179, a $38,811 savings over last fiscal year.
Springfield Township was unable to get a group rate for the past four years because of several high claims. This is the first year it is eligible for the group rate.
Trustees agreed to pay $1,324 to Lampco Industrial, Inc., Woodworth, to repair a rescue vehicle. Trustees will also donate an old rescue vehicle to a yet-unnamed government agency.
Eight new firefighters were hired.
Trustees approved requiring sidewalks in the Emerald Place housing development on state Route 170 because the township planning commission wants sidewalks in developments to be within one mile of the school.
Heck announced residents with septic tanks will be receiving a pumping reminder from the county. This is not a requirement, she said, but it can save costly repairs.
Trustee Reed Metzka thanked the committee responsible for the township's bicentennial celebration. Commemorative T-Shirts, Christmas tree ornaments, books and calendars are available. Call Heck at the township building, (330) 542-2377.