TRUMBULL COUNTY Water deal hinges on receiving state funds

As of now, waterline construction in Liberty depends on state Issue II money.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LIBERTY -- Trumbull County has reached an agreement with Liberty, Girard and Niles to provide water to a portion of Liberty.
"It's certainly the way to go," Girard Mayor James J. Melfi said.
If the county and Girard can get state Issue II money to lay waterlines, Niles will supply water to Girard at a reduced bulk rate. The city would, in turn, sell it to Liberty Township customers.
The agreement comes after township trustees became frustrated with the Trumbull County Sanitary Engineer's Office efforts to keep out a private water supplier, which the trustees wanted.
The county has been concerned that high water rates would result if water is provided by a private supplier, such as Consumers Ohio Water Co., and the long time it will take to get state funding for line construction.
Also, Girard has an exclusive long-term agreement with the county to provide water in a portion of the township.
Township Trustee W. Gary Litch said Consumers Ohio Water Co. remains an option to supply water if the county and Girard are turned down for state funding for line installation.
Litch speculated the state may give priority to projects that eliminate flooding rather than waterline construction projects because of flooding this summer.
"I think we've made a lot of progress," township Administrator Patrick J. Ungaro said of the agreement.
2 projects
He pointed out Liberty has paid for the engineering work on two projects.
One is a 3,200-foot line along Tibbetts-Wick Road, from Sampson Drive to Belmont Avenue. This line is in the Girard water district and will be supplied by Girard.
The second project is from the 1300 block of state Route 304, near the township administration building, east to Logan Way and south on Logan to Tanglewood Drive.
Total estimated construction cost is $709,000.
Issue II money to Girard and the county will be used to pay 69 percent of the construction cost. The remaining 31 percent will be paid by Girard and the county.
Melfi pointed out Girard will get its money back through a 40 percent surcharge on Liberty water customers in addition to tap-in fees and the sale of water meters.
The township is contributing $90,000 by doing the engineering.
The Ohio Public Works Committee that approves Issue II grants will make a decision by July 2004. Construction, Melfi said, could begin shortly after that.
Melfi said if the state grant is not approved, the township will already have the engineering completed.
Litch and Ungaro said the township can still deal with a private water supplier to construct lines in neighborhoods.
If the grant isn't approved, Litch explained, an attempt will be made to amend the water-supply agreement between the county and Girard so a private company can supply water.
yovich@vindy.com