MCDONALD Council meeting

Village officials handled these matters during their meeting Wednesday:

Heard a presentation by Thomas Holloway about amending the original capital improvements plan for the village. Holloway, chief engineer with the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District, said the amendments are based largely on conceptual designs prepared by MS Consultants Inc. of Youngstown, hired as consulting engineer. The older plan from 1995 called for refurbishing six settling basins and building six more for water treatment, he explained. Now, however, MS recommends adding two solid contact basins, each of which should treat about 30 million gallons of water daily and remove more solid materials, leading to better water quality and savings, Holloway noted. In addition, he continued, they will allow for the removal of more excess calcium carbonate, a course white substance that often builds up on water pipes and filters. Construction of the project, estimated at $18 million, could get under way by late summer 2009, Holloway said.

Discussed the village’s annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, set for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 29 outside the administration building, 451 Ohio Ave. The free event will include someone dressed as Santa Claus, hayrides, Christmas carols for shut-ins and homemade holiday cards for some senior citizens, explained Councilman Richard Harvey, head of council’s park and buildings committee. Lighting the tree will be village resident Betty Jane Hess, a former Liberty High School teacher, and librarian.

Talked about assisting those less fortunate during the holidays. Harvey, who also heads the village’s community chest, encouraged people who know of someone in need to contact the administration building at (330) 530-5472. Monetary donations are used for food vouchers and should be sent to Peggy Palmer, a community chest caseworker, at the building.