[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6339923,"mediaKeyId","2260575-7148728e206a22464c9b8f111498bbea","parentId",2260575,"title","Council hears $3 million State Route 93 sewer update; public-health tie-ins may become mandatory","audioSeconds",1553,"startMs",1347560,"endMs",2901240,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260575-7148728e206a22464c9b8f111498bbea&start=1347&end=2901","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260575-7148728e206a22464c9b8f111498bbea/thumbnail_1347560.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6339923/New-Franklin/Summit-County/Ohio/Council-hears-3-million-State-Route-93-sewer-update-public-health-tie-ins-may-become-mandatory","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339923-584ac60f9e0033950d746574232868f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204214&Signature=PEjwppwY~TrmjLOtRJm-sBIrV2KTlC4XK9co0PrxnJWpPII4NKcH1qUdNDfigJLYlU9Y1r7nxB2AFyFC~UOmRBYu1svmXzv~9ViNYwVWgQEyBiCuXhn3QBQUrtaozp8qZlrk-WrAvCPb4ZlXJuLfssMZQgQOYYdf9VRdEHpdxo2vf8AQkPB9Q1VWe3xfP~JKQ5-PGd5BO~SlGBJflED1SF6ohy7zKQpB~iI-LGBUUjmDNgWj95GSOMJsHgFs7WdEE9qR4ScWXT64ShudRY~JP4~epGr37~0evjaDF-0Ua9XpG~4KNNqlEXKzZnK1G5dosSZrWyFN~zdvyHHRX9hucg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of New Franklin OH","date","2025-02-10T17:17:43Z","article","City officials updated the New Franklin City Council on Feb. 19, 2025, about progress on the State Route 93 Sewer Project, a federally funded effort described in the meeting as roughly $3 million in total grant funding. Staff said environmental review steps remain and that consultant Arcadis is preparing required submissions for federal clearance.

Officials described a multi-stage plan: environmental approvals expected in mid-March, a potential decision to delay formal bidding until the fall (September\t\u0010October) because of contractor scheduling, and construction to start in spring with completion targeted in the late summer to fall of the following year. City materials indicate the sewer extension for the project will run along Manchester Road from near Grace Church to beyond a drive-through plaza, where it will tie into an existing interceptor that serves nearby commercial properties.

The update emphasized two points for property owners along the route. First, the city stated there are no property assessments attached to installing the sewer line itself. Second, Summit County Public Health and the Ohio EPA may have statutory authority to require commercial or residential premises to tie into the sewer after it becomes available. City representatives said there are waiver and appeal processes through public health for property owners who do not wish to connect immediately, but that public-health requirements could create mandatory connection obligations after installation.

Because of those possible post-construction public-health requirements, council members asked the administration to invite Summit County Public Health (and sanitary sewer staff) to a future council meeting to explain how mandatory connections, waivers and appeals would work for affected residents. Council members expressed concern about costs to homeowners on fixed incomes if they were required to abandon septic systems and pay private connection costs (excavation, tapping fees, well decommissioning), and asked for assurances and clarity before construction proceeds.

The city also reported that the project is expected to attract developer interest once sewer service is in place and that additional state funds may be directed to a second project phase. No formal vote was taken on the sewer project during the meeting; officials said they will return with further updates and plan to invite public-health staff to a future session.

Separately, council announced a public meeting on Sizzler Park improvements for Feb. 18 at 6:30 p.m., and discussed plans to restart a farmers market likely beginning in June and running through September.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2-5-2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","City officials updated council on the State Route 93 sewer project, funded largely with federal grants. Environmental approvals remain pending; bids are likely in the fall with construction to follow. Officials warned that Summit County Public Health and the Ohio EPA may have authority to require connections once sewer is available.","taxTitle","New Franklin, Summit County, Ohio","taxId",52170,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6339927,"Council approves Aqua Ohio cost-share for Rollins Bundle water main extension",891,320000,1211625,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260575-7148728e206a22464c9b8f111498bbea&start=320&end=1211","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260575-7148728e206a22464c9b8f111498bbea/thumbnail_320000.jpg","/articles/6339927/New-Franklin/Summit-County/Ohio/Council-approves-Aqua-Ohio-cost-share-for-Rollins-Bundle-water-main-extension","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339927-eba8bd483382f44c9982f49b72dda53b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204214&Signature=jb2kehYfVUDB9ha7-iCv19SDj4Fsx4QV~W63NCO51mUPflZvFCfP1609xW45gvXh9j~1biBWKazALzN~t8t6Djq6gyTEZLEKbjUD9OqoEKPnt4aO~Hy8wk7wRwItENXMcGnENC0T1uHXJyTVDo33xZE4xgXig1xwJkRojhm~aVyYIrA9Yp3QINb5Mdn0Ikvml9u1BP4FhLkNvfZVDctr0-Pms4AVN3WoOOKy3ddoi2kAUD9W9FC8Twi9IqTwG6KiH3jBEoLcsysBcHFrnHhKe~pRGZHaqhmf03k9WL6CeiTe9ri9589kdUtLLMIJtSkPAnBIVwwOrlj~u5TT~ZTiVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","New Franklin City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 25R08 on Feb. 19, 2025, approving an agreement with Aqua Ohio Inc. to provide a 20 percent contribution toward the Rollins Bundle water main extension project and declaring the matter an emergency so the project can move forward.

City materials and the committee presentation explained that the project uses a federal grant (approximately $970,000) and that the city will pay upfront and then receive federal and Aqua reimbursements. Officials said the funding split described in the meeting anticipates roughly 80 percent federal funding and 20 percent from Aqua; the city expects to end up with no net local cost for the construction phase as presented to the council.

The project is intended to extend water service to the ODNR visitor center and to make service available to nearby properties including the Tudor House and St. Luke's home. Council discussion emphasized that the agreement includes a cap on Aqua's line-connection fee for residents who elect to tie in; Aqua's fee for voluntary tie-ins was stated in the agreement as $1,000, with additional private costs for running the branch line to a house and any well decommissioning that an individual property owner would incur.

The council voted by roll call and the resolution passed without dissent.

Council members also noted that no property assessments are required as part of this contract and that connection by residents is optional under the agreement; the city will pay and then be reimbursed according to contract terms. Construction and inspection contracts for the physical work were reported to be already approved separately, and the Aqua agreement memorializes the cost-sharing arrangement.

The council approved the measure 7-0.","The New Franklin City Council on Feb. 19, 2025, unanimously approved Resolution 25R08 authorizing an agreement with Aqua Ohio for a shared contribution to the Rollins Bundle water main extension project; the city expects federal funding to cover most costs and Aqua to reimburse 20 percent.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6339933,"New Franklin council rejects $5,000 stipend for finance director after year-end work debate",1106,20765,1127425,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260575-7148728e206a22464c9b8f111498bbea&start=20&end=1127","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260575-7148728e206a22464c9b8f111498bbea/thumbnail_20765.jpg","/articles/6339933/New-Franklin/Summit-County/Ohio/New-Franklin-council-rejects-5000-stipend-for-finance-director-after-year-end-work-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339933-baa84beb188c0ba1116b1dafab73304f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204214&Signature=WMIsMhH~ULjMXNiXNdev0pBeHm3y-bilu3uWPiXciRdDxPgZ72Eb~whf5jjzcURNnc2ekyurIk9PcTjRbU5EV-PdNNyN1GO7CR8w~pQqKPp3iMODJ~X6UleSKx64uIZXnXgwxP21IpPpU9ZttNTOnLdayUhCL76jk0ijA8J-eVvDS8KiKmiprbGhG-coN2WbR2eNXW7w3Q6w3m33K9Fk~ft45nm9D14g5lj0QkpOdA6mDgYX5hzloPzNPcJQCKA8QRegSHVRvhMXykyiBYE1Lw8gDNJSYhajtXKTEoL5SZL8SnUOO8BsWfTi18wJYRjqkAKc48T1AUqZVvYmcVKpZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","New Franklin\fity Council voted on Feb. 19, 2025, to reject Resolution 25R07, which would have authorized a $5,000 stipend to Finance Director Susan Cook as compensation for additional hours worked during year-end 2024 and year-opening 2025.

Council members discussed that December and January are the busiest months for the finance department and that the retirement of a long-time employee left staff short-handed during the close-out and payroll processes. Council materials and speakers at the meeting described estimates that Cook worked an estimated 15 to 20 hours of overtime per week across the busiest period; at an overtime rate noted in the meeting of $50 per hour, those estimates were calculated in the meeting as roughly $6,750 to $9,000 over nine weeks, and the $5,000 stipend was presented as a compromise figure.

The nut of the council debate centered on whether a lump-sum stipend was appropriate, how the amount was chosen and whether the matter should have been discussed in public or in executive session. The council took a roll-call vote on adopting the resolution; the measure failed by roll call with Councilwoman Jones voting yes and six council members voting no.

Finance Director Susan Cook spoke briefly after the vote. \"I did not do this for you guys. I did it for the citizens of New Franklin because they needed it and for the employees here,\" she said, describing the extra hours she worked to meet federal and state reporting and payroll deadlines over the holidays.

Supporters of the stipend pointed to the temporary loss of staff after the retirement of Diane Snyder (retirement effective Nov. 30) and to the specialized HR and financial expertise Cook provided while the department was short-staffed. Opponents raised concerns about precedent, the selection of an arbitrary stipend amount rather than tracked overtime, and the timing of the discussion. At least one councilmember expressed disappointment that objections had not been aired publicly earlier in the process.

The rejection of 25R07 leaves the city without the one-time payment; council members did not take a substitute motion at the meeting to change the amount or to direct staff to return with additional documentation.

Council business moved on to other agenda items after the vote, including water infrastructure and budget transfers.","On Feb. 19, 2025, the New Franklin City Council voted against Resolution 25R07, which would have paid Finance Director Susan Cook a $5,000 stipend for extra hours worked closing out 2024 and opening 2025. Councilmembers debated the amount, the calculation method and process transparency before the measure failed on a roll call vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears $3 million State Route 93 sewer update; public-health tie-ins may become mandatory

Council approves Aqua Ohio cost-share for Rollins Bundle water main extension

New Franklin council rejects $5,000 stipend for finance director after year-end work debate