The Village of South Russell took formal steps Nov. 24 to advance two infrastructure projects.

Public utilities moved to authorize the fiscal officer to sign OPWC (Ohio Public Works Commission) disbursement certifications for the Hemlock Road culvert replacement project and to authorize the village engineer to prepare an application for the Hazelwood stormwater and pavement project, which was described in the meeting as an approximately $5.6 million project affecting the west side of the village. Council approved both motions by voice and roll-call votes.

Mayor and staff said the Hemlock project requires coordination with Russell Township; the village will ask the township to contribute $23,000 — approximately half the village’s Hemlock-related cost — and work is scheduled to begin Dec. 15 with completion in spring. The Hazelwood application step authorizes preparatory engineering and application work; the village indicated further legislative action would follow if the application progresses.

Next steps: engineer to prepare the Hazelwood application and the fiscal officer to sign OPWC paperwork; council to adopt any required ordinances and execute agreements if funding is awarded.