Columbiana, Trumbull get state money
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
The State Controlling Board approved nearly $11,000 Monday for an effort by one Columbiana County community to cut its energy costs.
New Waterford will use the grant to conduct an energy audit of its water and wastewater systems.
The goal, according to documents, is to “have specific guidelines to reduce energy consumption, saving the village and its residents about half on electricity costs. This will help keep monthly water and sewer fees down as electricity is one of the most expensive operating costs for both water and wastewater systems.”
The funding was among 15 projects approved for grants or loans totaling nearly $680,000 as part of the Department Services Agency’s Local Government Innovation Fund, which backs projects that promote shared services among local governments.
The Local Government Innovation Council signed off on the funding at its September meeting.
In other business, the controlling board approved more than $275,000 in additional costs for a Trumbull County bridge replacement.
The increased amount on the now-$3.8 million-plus project to replace the Olive Street Bridge over the Mahoning River, Norfolk & Southern Railroad and Treatment Plant Drive in Niles is due to unexpected delays that were not the fault of the contractor, according to documents.
A.P. O’Horo Co. of Youngstown is handling the work.