Rep. O’Brien leads effort for loans

Staff report

WARREN

State Rep. Sean O’Brien of Brookfield, D-65th, has spearheaded an effort to call attention to the need in Trumbull County for low-interest loans to help residents pay for replacement of household sewage- treatment systems and tie into sewage systems.

“Trumbull County residents, especially those residing in the 65th House District, continually struggle to replace their household sewage-treatment systems or tie into sanitary sewer projects,” O’Brien said.

“I want to ensure that Trumbull County receives the largest share of funding possible to help alleviate the financial burden that accompanies system replacement and tie-in requirements.”

O’Brien organized a conference call last week that included county commissioners; representatives from the county health department; Dr. Theodore Wymyslo, director of the Ohio Department of Health; and Scott Nally, director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

The call was designed to ensure that state officials know the critical need for grant and low-interest revolving loan money in Trumbull, O’Brien said.

O’Brien said officials seemed receptive to the idea of creating a revolving loan fund that county officials hope to establish with federal grant money distributed by the state.

Having money that can be loaned, repaid and used again and again will reduce the burden on the state, O’Brien said.

The OEPA set aside $6 million in 2011 and 2012 for assistance with Ohio home sewage-treatment systems, also known as septic systems, O’Brien said.

The money will be divided among the Ohio counties that apply, and the amount Trumbull will receive depends on the total number and size of the applications statewide, O’Brien added.