Thursday, December 22, 2005
A contract will be awarded for a $1.8 million water improvement project.
By TIM YOVICH
Vindicator Trumbull Staff
NILES -- City council is asking Trumbull County commissioners to use public water suppliers exclusively to provide water to county customers.
A resolution that would exclude private water companies such as Aqua Ohio passed by a 6-0 vote with Councilman Frank Fuda, D-1st, voting for the measure reluctantly. Councilman Reginald Giancola, D-3rd, was absent.
Fuda was re-elected to council in November and is a candidate for county commissioner.
Niles buys wholesale water from the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District and resells it to city customers to make money and keep its rates low.
Aqua Ohio has been competing with public water providers for the county's water business.
Fuda wanted the resolution tabled, arguing that the county hasn't been able to provide waterlines in a number of townships for years. He asserted that only private companies can service them.
Councilman Stephen Papalas, D-at-large, shot back at Fuda, pointing out that he was elected to represent the city.
Randy Fabrizio, city superintendent of water and wastewater, pointed out that if commissioners allowed private suppliers to provide water, the number of Niles customers would not grow.
He suggested that that could result in higher rates for city customers.
Other business
In other business at its meeting Wednesday, council authorized the director of public works to enter into a contract to construct a $1.8 million waterline improvement. It will also replace the Crandon Avenue pump station. Council has already agreed to borrow the money to make the improvements through the sale of bonds.
A waterline will be constructed from Stevens Park to U.S. Route 422. It would be connected to a water district composed of Hubbard, Vienna, Liberty and Brookfield townships.
This will increase the city's water sales by 1 million gallons per day. It will also replace Aqua Ohio as the water provider to those lines. Also, lawmakers moved to a second reading an ordinance changing the zoning of 1.88 acres on the former Edison School site.
The zoning limits construction to sixplexes, but the change would allow for apartment buildings. A senior citizens housing complex is planned for the site. A public hearing will be held on the zone change at 5:45 p.m. Feb. 1 in council chambers before the council meeting.
yovich@vindy.com