Some 200 households eventually will be tied into the sewer.
Some 200 households eventually will be tied into the sewer.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LIBERTY -- The "inaugural flushing ceremony" to open the Shannon Road sanitary sewer project was held last week, but those who will benefit have mixed feelings.
Barbara Hayes of 1375 Shannon Road says she just hopes sewage from the new line doesn't back up into her basement.
Hayes is also hopeful that the odor created by faulty home septic systems in the area is eliminated.
The nearly $3.4 million project was mandated by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency because local streams were being contaminated by failing septic systems.
The pond at Tod Park in Girard that collected some of the contaminated sewage runoff was forced to close and was eventually drained because it become a health nuisance.
What resulted was the construction of 17,000 feet of line to service about 200 households along Shannon and side streets.
Funding
Various sources were used to fund the project, including a $900,000 grant and $900,000 loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, $650,000 from state Issue 2 and $650,000 in Community Development Block Grant money.
Hayes said that although her septic system was functioning properly, connecting to the line is mandatory.
Because of her family's low- to moderate-income status, she won't have to pay the approximately $3,000 cost to run the line from the road to the house, including a $1,090 tap-in fee.
Gary Newbrough, county sanitary engineer, said those who use well water will pay a flat sewer rate of $25.20 per month to the county.
Those who have Girard water will receive two bills: one from the city for water, and a sewer user fee based on water usage with a minimum of $37.80 per quarter paid to the county, Newbrough explained.
Ron Granger, who lives across the road from the Hayes family, also qualifies because of income status, but hasn't figured out what his final cost will be, if any. "I'm not sure if I'm paying for all this or not," he commented.
Granger said that his septic system functions, but that he knows it will need to be replaced eventually and he will have to pay to use the sanitary sewer.
Like Hayes, Granger is glad the odor problem will be eliminated.
Income cutoff
Although Darlene Burton is retired from Delphi Packard Electric Systems, her income level means she will be paying more than $3,000 to connect.
The income level is based on the number of people living in a household and their total income. A family of two can qualify with a total household income of $32,400, while a four-member family qualifies with a total $40,500 annual income.
Burton said she came within $100 of having low- to moderate-income status.
Burton said she's looking to use her income tax return or a home equity loan to pay for the hookup.
"I can't say anything good about it," Burton contends, noting that she, too, kept her septic system cleaned out and functioning.
Retirees John and Betty Lee said they have been unable to sell their house at 3299 Shannon because of the sewer line construction.
Construction obstacles
The Lees put their house up for sale in April so they can move into a small house. Their real estate agent receives calls, but it has been difficult for prospective buyers to get to their home because of the construction.
The Lees said they were forced to drop the price of their house, but noted that with construction ending and a resurfaced road, the value will increase.
"I think it's a good deal," said Earl VanDyke of 1605 Shannon, who retired 22 years ago from the transportation department at Youngstown schools and qualifies for low- to moderate-income status.
VanDyke pointed out the sanitary system will increase the value of his home.
"It was coming and I'll be glad when its done," he added. "That's progress."
yovich@vindy.com