Engineer points out residents' lack of waterline use

Trumbull County's sanitary engineer says it appears Liberty residents are satisfied with well water.
& lt;a href=mailto:yovich@vindy.com & gt;By TIM YOVICH & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LIBERTY -- The Trumbull County sanitary engineer says township property owners aren't using the waterlines they have.
In a letter to township trustees, sanitary engineer Thomas Holloway says it appears that owners are satisfied with their well water and don't want to increase their water costs.
Trustees have been pressing the county to construct waterlines on state Route 304, Tibbetts Wick Road and Belmont Avenue to help development.
If the county won't construct the lines, trustees have threatened, they'll deal with a private water supplier.
Township Administrator Patrick J. Ungaro has said he realizes that dealing with a private supplier such as Consumers Ohio Water Co. could result in a legal battle between the county and township.
In his July 18 letter, Holloway, who has firmly opposed the use of a nongovernment water provider, wrote that lines are not being used.
For example
Holloway said that a waterline was constructed in 1999 at Sampson and Tibbetts Wick roads. Of 19 water services provided, only one property owner has connected to the line.
On the Belmont Avenue line, 34 services were made available, and only six tied in when it was constructed, also in 1999.
Since then, two companies -- Giant Eagle and MVI HomeCare -- have tied in.
"So you know, all these property owners were sent a letter upon the completion of these projects, notifying [them] of the availability of water and costs, which are extremely attractive," Holloway said.
A survey by Trumbull County of Sampson property owners showed that only one of 22 indicated they desire water service.
Trustees are seeking the construction of waterlines in the near future along state Route 304 and Tibbetts Wick.
"You would think there [would] be more interest in these areas. These results suggest that property owners are satisfied with their wells and do not want to incur any cost of water service," Holloway wrote.
"It also makes you wonder about the desires of property owners in other areas of Liberty Township wanting water service," he added.
Luring development
Rather than waiting for development and then construction of the lines, trustees want the lines to lure development.
Ungaro said he agrees with Holloway that property owners aren't interested in tapping in to waterlines, and noted they have invested a great deal of money in their wells. The administrator added that public money shouldn't be used to construct lines in already developed areas.
However, Ungaro said private water suppliers have 20-year plans and should be given the opportunity to construct lines.
Ungaro said he is looking to construct water and sanitary sewer lines in the undeveloped areas, such as the Tibbetts Wick and state Route 11 areas.
"Development doesn't take place overnight. It takes five to 10 years," he added.
Seeking proposals
During a July 15 meeting trustees had with area officials, Trustee W. Gary Litch asked the public water providers come up with a proposal by Aug. 6 to construct lines.
Holloway said he will be meeting with Girard Mayor James J. Melfi about the situation.
Girard has a 20-year exclusive agreement with the county to provide water to a portion of Liberty where trustees want lines constructed.
Melfi has said he will protect that agreement because it's a moneymaking business for his economically strapped city.
& lt;a href=mailto:yovich@vindy.com & gt;yovich@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;