PETERSBURG Residents show support for waterline project

Connection to the line would be optional for those living along it.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
PETERSBURG -- Residents attending an informational meeting Tuesday indicated support for extending waterlines here.
Residents have long been concerned about high levels of dangerous bacteria in streams, resulting from septic seepage. But as one man said Tuesday, "Ninety-eight percent of the wells in Petersburg have been condemned by the health department but we still use them because we have to."
Tuesday's meeting was held to determine whether there is enough support to proceed with the project. Robert Kimmel, construction coordinator for Consumers Ohio Water Co., Struthers, told the crowd of about 50 that the cost for homeowners will depend on the type of funding obtained for the project.
A couple of options
He outlined two options for location of the waterline. The more cost-efficient one is to hook a 12-inch water main to lines at Unity and Garfield Roads, extending it eastward to Petersburg where 8-inch lines would be constructed to serve the most populated areas consisting of about 220 homes. Cost is estimated at $915,000.
The less-desirable option is to attach to lines on state Route 170 near Springfield High School and run the main south to Petersburg. That is estimated at $1 million. Kimmel said the second option is a longer route and has to cross the turnpike, a problem which adds about $85,000 to the cost.
In any case, he said connection to the waterline would be optional for those living along it, and residents could continue to use their wells for outdoor spigots.
Residents asked whether those outside the most populated areas of Petersburg could tap into the line. Kimmel said the project is flexible and the company would try to get water to as many homes as possible.
"It depends on interest," he said, adding, "we can run waterlines wherever the demand is."
Residents' questions
Some residents asked whether it is possible for waterlines to be installed at the same time as sewer lines. A long-awaited $2.7 million sewer project is set to begin construction in July.
Since the lines are required to be separated by 10 feet, Joe Warino, Mahoning County sanitary engineer, said two trenches must be dug anyway. Because simultaneous installation of water and sewer lines would render the road impassable during construction, it works out better to construct them separately, he said.
Kimmel said waterline construction would include installation of fire hydrants. A firefighter attending the meeting said that would give the area a new insurance rating, which would reduce homeowners insurance costs.
One resident asked whether housing developments built along the line after construction would have to pay part of the line's cost. Kimmel said there is legislation pending in the Ohio Legislature to require such developments to pay a front footage fee. The law provides that they could tap in for free.
Funding discussion
There was also discussion about funding for the project. Kimmel said the water company could put the line in cheaper than the county because, as a private utility, it doesn't have to pay the prevailing wage. However, Warino said if federal or state money is involved, the county would have to own the waterline and be responsible for seeking construction bids. Kimmel said Consumers has provided funds toward construction of other lines and could possibly make a financial contribution to this one.
Springfield Township Trustee Shirley Heck said the next step is for residents to sign letters of support for the project. They should also contact state Rep. John Boccieri of New Middletown, D-61st, and U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland of Lisbon, D-6th, and ask them to support waterline construction.