Wednesday, January 18, 2006
The project won't have to be completed until June 2009.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- The Columbiana County commissioners are appealing a state order to provide sewer service to Kensington.
The commissioners voted Tuesday to appeal the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency order by today at the recommendation of county Engineer Bert Dawson.
The commissioners have long tried to provide sewer service to the unincorporated village, which falls under their jurisdiction, and the village of Hanoverton. The county hasn't been able to find enough grants or low-cost loans to do so, however.
"We want to slow down the process until the money becomes available," said Commissioner Jim Hoppel.
Michael Settles, a spokesman for the state EPA, said that under the order by OEPA Director Joseph P. Koncelik, the project would not have to be completed until June 2009.
The commissioners estimated a system to service both communities would cost $7 million. No breakdown has been made for the cost to each community.
Cost factors
Dawson said that under current regulations, the communities would have to pay for half the cost.
That would work out to assessments of more than $20,000 to each homeowner, according to the commissioners. State figures show the median income in Hanover Township is $36,133 a year. That, according to county officials, would work out to a $150 monthly fee by homeowners.
Settles said that during the long planning process, the state would help the county find funds for the project.
The county has 39 months from the date of the order to secure funding.
Settles said that Hanoverton officials are also expected to appeal the order.
What's behind this
The problem is that homes in the area have old septic systems. High ecoli counts in Sandy Creek and an unnamed tributary stem from the old and leaky septic systems.
The commissioners had last submitted general plans to address the problem in 2003.
Last year, the state gave the county more time to come up with the money. Dawson and the commissioners said the county's financial picture hasn't changed.
But Settles said that the unilateral order by Koncelik showed the seriousness of the situation and its need to be resolved.
wilkinson@vindy.com