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

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——October) 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.