DISTRICT 6 COMMITTEE Water, road projects submitted to state

Two Sebring projects rank high on the list.
AUSTINTOWN -- Members of the two-county small governments group of the District 6 Integrating Committee have sent 10 projects to the state requesting funding.
The list approved by the panel Wednesday is in addition to the state Issue 2 projects list from Mahoning and Trumbull counties that was submitted to the state last week.
The small government projects will be in the running for a share of $12 million to be divvied up around the state.
The 10 water and road projects were selected from a list of 17 that were rated based on economic welfare, health and safety, age and other factors.
The first priority project is bringing the gravel Donley Road in Mesopotamia up to county standards by paving it.
That is expected to cost $193,370 with $75,414 paid for by a grant, if approved.
Two Sebring projects initially scored as the second and third highest priority with the 12th Street sanitary sewer ranked second followed by the Texas Avenue water booster station improvements at No. 3.
Those positions were reversed at the request of Sebring Mayor John Smith.
"The [Texas Avenue station] system right now is so antiquated, and we can't get parts," Smith said. "If the system goes down, we lose all pressure to the south side of town."
The station serves the Copeland Oaks Retirement Center, which houses 700 residents and is the village's biggest employer.
"That's our main priority project," Smith said. "They're both very important projects. I know other communities see their priorities as important, but I don't know what could be more important than getting water where it's needed."
The cost for the booster station project is estimated at $170,945 with $136,756 requested in a grant. The remainder will be covered by local funds.
The 12th Street project is estimated at $186,557 with $149,245 requested in grant funds.
Other projects
The other projects as ranked with total cost followed by grant being sought:
* Vernon: Rutledge Transfer Road safety upgrade, $136,900; $94,460 grant requested.
* Mecca: Morrell Ray Road improvements between state Route 88 and Meacham Corners, $192,783; $133,020.
* Kinsman: Webber Cole Road safety upgrade, $166,995; $115, 225.
* Johnston, Irishtown Southworth Road safety upgrade phase 2, $131,670; $90,850.
* McDonald, Second Street safety upgrade, $168,000; $115,920.
* Mecca, Morrell Ray Road improvements between state Route 88 and Housel-Craft Road, $438,423; $302,500.
* New Middletown, Stacy Drive drainage improvement phase 2, $102,630; $70,815 .