Future of Midvale water system remains uncertain after council vote
MIDVALE — Three council members have voted to keep the Midvale water system, but the village solicitor says the vote does not count.
During Thursday's council meeting, Councilman Wayne Brandon made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Donna Kohler, to take an unexpected vote on whether to keep the system or sell it to Aqua Ohio.
More: Midvale water board narrows options for reducing iron and manganese in supply
Brandon and Kohler voted to keep it, as did Councilman Jerry Propp. Councilmen Randy Cadle and Bill Weaver abstained from the vote, saying they had hoped to hear more information about the issue before voting one way or the other.
Cadle said in the future he would like to have a heads up on what will be discussed when it comes to important issues such as this.
As a result of the vote, Village Administrator Brian Anderson did not give his report on the latest updates and statistics about the water and a future town meeting was not scheduled. Several residents were in attendance to learn more.
Following the meeting, Solicitor Greg Swope looked into the matter further and said the motion did not pass, due to the fact that Councilman Jordan Long was not in attendance, and the three votes to keep the water system would not be considered a majority.
Fiscal Officer Georgianne Turner noted that a concern with keeping the system is that no plan was made in the last 30 to 40 years to fund the replacement of the 70-year-old water lines.
In addition, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is requiring a $2.6 million filtration plant be built. It was learned that two water lines on Vernon and Bean Alley need to be replaced at a cost estimated to be between $250,000 and $300,000.
The water system is under EPA orders to reduce the amounts of iron and manganese in its finished product.
OTHER ACTION
• Cadle listed items he felt could improve the village, including more participation by council at town events; for the town to be spruced up, such as curb and school zone painting and decorative banners placed on poles; mowing of some areas in town; and additional safety measures at the Midvale Elementary School in light of the recent shootings.
• Agreed to allow the Mine-ding Midvale's History Group to select an artist for the Tuscarawas County Sculpture Project.
• Went into executive session to discuss personnel.
• Approved $1,000 to the Midvale United Methodist Church for a food distribution project for residents. Funding will come from the American Rescue Plan Act.
• Gave approval for the Tuscarawas County Public Library to place a Little Library Box in the park. This is at no cost to the village.
• Accepted the donation of two benches to be placed at the park pavilion by the Mine-ding Midvale's History Group.
• Passed a resolution for the allocation of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to be used for safety and park expenses.
• Passed a motion to give a $1 per hour pay increase to Water Clerk LuAnn Kail.
FOR YOUR INFO
• Rod Hilliard spoke against the vacating of Hilliard Drive which leads to four properties. He said he was told by former solicitor Brad Zimmerman that because the lane led to four lots, it must remain owned by the village. He gave the village a public records request asking for more information about their decision to vacate.
• Mayor Larry Kopp said there was a very good turnout at the Memorial Day service and thought Pastor Aaron Linard did a great job as speaker.
UP NEXT Will meet July 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the park pavilion.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Future of Midvale water system remains uncertain after council vote
