Milton project is on track, officials say

Some residents heard the project money was diverted to the war in Iraq.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Despite some delays, Mahoning County officials say a project to extend county water and sewer lines to an area around Lake Milton is still on track.
Several Milton Township residents were at Thursday's meeting of county commissioners, concerned that the project would not be completed or that federal funding for the project would be spent elsewhere if work isn't completed soon.
Paul Wolf, president of the Lake Milton Association, said some residents had heard that the federal government took back its money and spent it on the war in Iraq.
"Rumors run rampant in a small community," Wolf said. "I think the residents of Milton Township deserve some answers."
What project includes
The $14.5 million project includes extension of county water and sewer lines to areas surrounding the east and west sides of Lake Milton. It will include construction of an elevated water storage tank that will be used as a secondary water source for area residents.
When it is finished, the project will provide water and sanitary sewer service for some 1,300 homes in Milton and Jackson townships and the village of Craig Beach.
Joseph Warino, sanitary engineer, said a major reason why work hasn't progressed faster is that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has yet to finish processing paperwork to release its funding share for the project.
The USDA has agreed to provide a $3.4 million grant and a $4.2 million loan to help pay for the project. Other funding is from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ohio Public Works Agency and local funding.
Commissioner David Ludt said the county has twice done everything required by USDA, only to have the documents returned with requests for different information.
Still, officials said the federal money set aside for the project has not been spent elsewhere, and will not be.
"That money isn't going anywhere. It's secure," Warino said.
He said there also have been delays in securing necessary easements for extending lines across state-owned property from Meander Reservoir, which will be the water source.
Warino said county workers installing the waterline along Mahoning Avenue still have not found a contractor to bore through an underground rock wall that has held up construction of that part of the project for some four months.
Instead, county workers will rent equipment and do it themselves. "We are committed to getting this project done," Warino added.
bjackson@vindy.com