Resident outlines financing shortfall for Southern 5 sewer project; Celeryville may be infeasible without aid

Tom Secor updated the council on the Southern 5 Sewer regionalization project, reporting that applications have been submitted to the Water Pollution Loan Fund (WPLF) with the Ohio EPA and that the project could qualify for 0% financing for 45 years and principal forgiveness.

Secor gave cost estimates and timelines: "The Celeryville project is estimated at six million dollars. The Holiday Lakes project is estimated at seventeen million dollars," he said, and added that Holiday Lakes includes 1,299 lots and 458 homes. He said the principal forgiveness program could provide about $4,000,000 but cautioned that Celeryville may not be financially feasible without additional assistance because homeowner connection costs and decommissioning of existing tanks are expenses the homeowner would bear.

Secor said the participating communities have an agreement with the City of Willard for treatment and that he would like to negotiate a maintenance contract with Willard; the City Manager said the city would review staffing implications if a maintenance contract were pursued. Secor offered completion timelines assuming full funding: Celeryville in July 2027 and Holiday Lakes in December 2027.

Council did not take formal action on the Southern 5 project in the Dec. 1 meeting; the discussion served as an update and to identify potential next steps and funding avenues. The city and project representatives continue to seek state funding and other support.