Niles council seeks firm to design new wasterwater plant

NILES — The city moved one step closer to replacing the aging wastewater plant tonight as council voted to authorize service director Neil Buccino to contract for professional services for the new upgrades.

Mayor Ralph Infante said the city is considering two engineering consultants: Montgomery Watson of Cleveland and MS Consultants of Youngstown. Infante said the professional services contract was not subject to the bid procedure.

Randy Fabrizio, plant superintendent, called for replacement of the 20-year old facility last year because the plant is near the end of its lifespan and can no longer meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements. Fabrizio has estimated replacement costs at $17.5 million.

The city projects annual costs of $250,000 to $300,000 for 20 years to pay for the new plant.

In another item, council authorized Infante to conclude an agreement with Everflow Eastern Partners for what the ordinance describes as “a nondevelopmental oil and gas lease” on city property.

A gas well is to be drilled on a vacant property on South Cleveland and Robbins avenues.