LIBERTY Water company to survey residents about tying in

The township administrator views the plan as a pilot project to spur growth.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LIBERTY -- Township trustees have authorized a private water company to determine if there are enough potential customers interested in being supplied water.
Trustees gave Consumers Ohio Water Co. on Monday the authority to survey property owners along Church Hill and Tibbetts-Wick roads.
Trustees approved the resolution despite a warning from the Trumbull County Prosecutor's Office that state law prohibits townships from extending waterlines.
If COWC finds the projects are economically feasible, it wants to construct the waterlines.
Pilot project
Patrick J. Ungaro, township administrator, said commissioners can approve the projects if they favor them. They could, Ungaro explained, serve as a pilot project for other townships that want to spur growth.
He said wells are going bad and water, along with sanitary sewers, are significant issues to townships.
COWC is proposing, if there are enough potential customers, to construct waterlines along Church Hill, from Summit Street to Logan Way, and from Belmont Avenue to Sampson Drive.
The township has set aside $500,000 for the lines, but COWC says it can lay the lines for about $400,000.
Only the county
Atty. James M. Brutz, an assistant county prosecutor who represents the county sanitary engineer's office, has informed the township that only the county can provide such lines.
In addition, Brutz pointed out, the township signed an agreement with county commissioners, giving Girard the right to provide water service and maintain the lines in the area.
Mayor James J. Melfi has said the city needs revenue from water sales to pay for the city's controversial purchase of Girard Lakes, and is willing to discuss Liberty's becoming a water customer in new areas.
yovich@vindy.com