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Mayor says Lorain County, not Vermilion, is proposing wastewater reclamation facility; city will pursue plant upgrades
Summary
Mayor Rand told residents that a proposed Lorain County wastewater reclamation facility under discussion is a county project, not a Vermilion City initiative, and said the city will prioritize upgrades to its own wastewater plant; he invited questions at the April 20 utilities committee meeting.
Mayor Rand told the Vermilion City Council and residents on April 6 that a large wastewater reclamation project being discussed by Lorain County is not a Vermilion City project and that county officials — not the city — are leading any purchase or siting decisions.
"This is not a Vermilion City project or plant. I repeat, this is not a Vermilion City project or plant," Rand said, addressing concerns raised by Shady Lake neighborhood residents who asked about a parcel on the city’s eastern edge. He said public records indicate the parcel is zoned Industrial Park District (Zone 13), where public utilities are a permitted use.
Rand said county commissioners have made an offer on a large parcel on the far east side of the city but stressed the county is in early planning stages and no construction is imminent. He said the city has received social-media-driven public questions and that county processes and timelines remain unclear. "It's my understanding that Lorain County has yet to break ground on their large West County sewer line project," he added.
To address local concerns, Rand said the city will continue to improve Vermilion’s existing wastewater plant and will present committed capital improvements at the utilities committee meeting on April 20, when plant superintendent Dan Hall will attend to report and answer questions.
Rand noted the parcel in question is densely wooded and could provide a vegetative buffer from noise, light and odors for nearby homes in Shady Lake, and he encouraged residents with odor concerns to visit the city plant to compare conditions. He also said odors typically arise when plants are not running efficiently.
Why it matters: The potential county facility has prompted neighborhood worry about proximity and long-term impacts. The city’s statement that the project is a county initiative clarifies municipal responsibility and signals limited municipal control over the county’s decisions. The utilities committee briefing on April 20 will offer the next local update and the city’s priorities for its own treatment plant.
What’s next: The city administration plans to present a prioritized list of committed capital improvements for the plant on April 20; residents may bring questions at that utilities committee meeting. The council did not take a formal action on the county project at the April 6 meeting.
Representative quote: "I can only relay what I know and what my understanding of the situation is as of this evening," Rand said, urging patience as county planning continues.
Ending: Rand used his remarks to also recognize retiring Police Chief Chris Hartung for 27 years of service. The utilities committee is scheduled to meet April 20, when the city’s plant superintendent will discuss improvement plans.
