THE REGION No news is bad news

Sixteen businesses and 57 homes will benefit from waterlines, the engineer says.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- The city is expected to receive $614,135 in state Issue II funds to expand waterlines in Liberty Township.
Thomas Holloway, Trumbull County sanitary engineer, said the funds have been approved by the local Ohio Public Works District 6 Integrating Committee.
The two projects have been sent on to the Ohio Public Works Commission to release the state funds.
"Typically, we've not had a problem with the commission," Holloway said, noting he's never run into a situation where the commission didn't approve funds.
Immediate benefit
The engineer said 16 businesses and 57 residents will be able to tie in immediately after construction.
One project calls for 3,135 feet of 12-inch line along Tibbetts-Wick Road, from Belmont Avenue to Sampson Drive.
The second is 5,900 feet of 12-inch line along Church Hill Road, from about Summit Street to Logan Way. The line will extend on Logan, from Interstate 80 to Will-O-Wood Drive.
These lines will link with Youngstown's lines as an alternate water source to Girard.
Bids opening set
Bids for the projects will be opened in May with construction beginning after July 1, Holloway explained.
Girard has a 20-year contract with Trumbull County to provide water to a district in Liberty. Girard purchases its water from Niles, a member of the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District which sells water wholesale.
The water issue developed into a controversy last year when township trustees and county Commissioner James G. Tasgaris wanted Ohio Consumers Water Co. to extend lines if Girard couldn't.
Takeover of the water district in Liberty was opposed by Mayor James J. Melfi and Holloway.
"My philosophy is to seek grant money to lessen the burden on city taxpayers," Melfi said.
Melfi pointed out that Girard will receive future revenue by increasing its water customers, Niles will receive added money through water sales to Girard, Liberty will be able to expand development, and the county will have a larger distribution system.
Share of project
The local share of the project is $75,000 each from Girard, Niles and the county, Melfi explained, noting Girard has a balance in its water fund to pay its share.
Liberty paid for the engineering that Melfi said helped sell the project to the committee.
Although the lines will be owned by the county, the mayor said, the city will maintain them.
yovich@vindy.com