Seneca County commissioners endorse Lake Erie West application for federal rail safety grant

The Seneca County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to back Lake Erie West Regional Council as the applicant and administrator for a federal rail safety grant to fund safety improvements tied to a private facility's planned upgrades.

Sandy Spang of Lake Erie West outlined the proposal, saying the project would include demolition of an old building at the Wind Waste site, repairs to the County Road 108 rail crossing, fencing and landscaping along Pine Street and expanded on-site rail storage. "They guarantee that they will spend up to $350,000 making these described ... improvements," Spang said, describing the sum as a guaranteed community contribution if the grant application is not successful.

Why it matters: the grant window is short (Spang noted applications were due in mid‑June). County officials said the work would address safety concerns at crossings and reduce rail cars queued on CSX lines, while Lake Erie West would administer the grant if awarded and hold quarterly stakeholder meetings that could include the city of Fostoria and local health officials.

Spang told the board Lake Erie West pressed the company to include long‑term crossing repairs and aesthetic screening for nearby homes; she said Wind Waste also committed in writing to remove the old building and to repair crossings. Spang also reported that, verbally, Wind Waste has assured Lake Erie West it is seeking these changes for safety and efficiency, not to expand permitted capacity. That assurance was described as verbal and not in writing in the meeting record.

The commissioners moved and seconded a resolution to "support Lake Erie West's application to the Federal Railroad Administration rail safety grant and the community benefits that accompany it." The motion passed by roll call; Commissioners Paradiso, Bus Decker and Franker voted "Yes." The transcript does not specify who formally moved or seconded the motion.

Next steps: Lake Erie West will proceed as applicant and, if awarded, would administer reporting and stakeholder oversight. Spang agreed to follow up with county staff on pricing and coordination with CSX for crossings such as County Road 18.

Funding and operational details discussed at the meeting included a Wind Waste permit level the presenter described as "9,500 tons a day" and busiest‑day throughput around 8,000 (figures were presented by Spang). Spang said the project scope in the grant focuses on safety improvements, and that Wind Waste indicated it is aiming to move from three shifts to two while maintaining current throughput.

The board requested additional pricing and follow‑up on County Road 18 and other crossings; Spang said some work could start sooner depending on CSX coordination and cost estimates.

The commissioners closed the item by asking Lake Erie West to provide the resolution wording and follow up documentation for their records.