Roswell council votes to move forward with sewer project
ROSWELL — Roswell Village Council has voted to authorize the Tuscarawas County Water and Sewer District to proceed with the planning and engineering of a sanitary sewer system for the village.
The vote on Thursday was unanimous from the five council members in attendance: Justin Eggerton, Mackenzie Pringle, Larry Pringle, Mitch Belknap and Council President Dennis Leggett.
Councilwoman Amanda Leggett was excused due to a family school function.
Belknap said that he and Eggerton had conducted a village wide survey regarding the resident’s feelings on the sewer project. The survey resulted in 54 households in favor of the project and 15 against it.
Eggerton then said he felt they had to go ahead with the project or risk being cited by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. This would bring heavy fines for the village.
“We talked to residents and provided them with all of the information that we have. Now it’s time to move forward.” he said.
The Ohio EPA conducted multiple tests of the water in Beaverdam Creek in 2013, 2016 and 2018. Water samples were well in excess of public health standards for E. coli.
The contamination has been traced to failing septic systems in the village. Village officials were told that unless the county took the lead on the project, they would not receive any grant funding towards the system.
The cost of the sewer system is estimated to be $2.5 million.
Council agreed in a recent committee meeting to allocate American Rescue Plan funds towards tap fees, if permitted. Residents would be responsible for the cost of the line running from their home to the main sewer line, Belknap said.
Fiscal Officer Kim Meek Obed said she needs to look into what the money can be used for before doing this. The village will receive $11,000 this year and $11,000 for 2022. If permitted, this would be $283 to each household.
Some residents are already paying into a fund that would cover their tap fees, Obed said.
OTHER ACTION
• Heard the second reading of an ordinance to address the usage of trailers/mobile homes/storage containers within the village corporation limits.
• Learned from Police Chief Donna Patterson that the Ohio Attorney General is mandating 24 hours of certification for the upcoming year. Twelve hours of the training will be paid for through a grant.
• Agreed to hold a contest for the “Best Decorated House” this Christmas season. Judging will take place on Dec. 23 with a trophy being awarded to the winner. Council members are exempt from the contest. An event with Santa was also discussed but specifics need to be finalized.
FOR YOUR INFO
• Heard Wilma Mullet, executive director of the Tuscarawas Arts Partnership, discuss a sculpture project being initiated in 19 communities. The piece would be in the shape of Tuscarawas County and local artists are invited to paint or create something unique for their community. Due to a lot of turnover for 2022 within council, it was agreed to give a “maybe” for participation on the project. Mullet said she would check back in January.
• Mayor Cathy Beach thanked Eggerton, Leggett, resident Sam Weaver and Tom Moss, for filling potholes. Eggerton said a grant is needed to take care of a large area on School Street.
• Discussed issues regarding the Community Hall not being cleaned after rented. The agreement needs to be revamped and a checklist is needed for renters so that cleanup is completed.
• Obed said the 2-year audit has been completed and she is waiting for the return of village records.
UP NEXT Will meet on Dec. 16 at 6 p.m., in the community building.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Roswell council votes to move forward with sewer project
