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Lowellville approves siphon replacement funding package and directs solicitor to draft wastewater rate increase
Summary
The Lowellville Village Council passed legislation advancing the Riverfront Park siphon replacement and approved related sewer projects and budget moves, and asked the solicitor to prepare an ordinance to raise wastewater rates for three years.
Lowellville’s Village Council on Nov. 13 approved legislation to move forward on a Siphon Replacement Project and signed off on related wastewater spending and design work.
The council voted to pass the Riverfront Park Siphon Replacement Project (project cost stated as $936,700) and recorded that funding sources being pursued include $115,600 from the Eastgate ARC2025 grant program, $271,500 from the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) and $549,600 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Council suspended the rules and approved the legislation by roll call. (Motion moved by Keith McCaughtry; second Ron Rotunno.)
Why it matters: Council members said the work is necessary to maintain sewer function along the riverfront and to position the village to secure external grant funding. The council also approved a short-term increase of $20,000 to the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) fund to cover costs until anticipated reimbursements arrive.
Council additionally approved a work authorization with CT Consultants for $18,250 for additional Parsons Avenue sanitary sewer work after a change in scope. (Motion carried on roll call.)
On rates: The council instructed the solicitor to draft legislation to raise wastewater charges for the next three years: a 10% increase for commercial customers and a $5-per-year increase for residential customers. The motion to have the solicitor prepare the legislation was moved by Ryan McNicholas and seconded by Keith McCaughtry; the council voted to proceed. The transcript records the instruction to draft the ordinance but does not contain text of a finalized rate ordinance.
Council action and next steps: The Siphon Replacement Project legislation passed; the village will pursue the stated grants and proceed with design and permitting. The solicitor is to prepare ordinance language for the proposed wastewater rate increases for council consideration in a future meeting. The administrator was asked to send letters to residents with outstanding sewer liens as part of lien follow-up.
Context and concerns: Councilmember Don D'Onofrio raised a policy concern about owner and tenant responsibility when tenants move out without paying utility bills, noting an existing ordinance places responsibility on property owners in such cases; Councilmember Bob Coppola agreed to review the ordinance language. The council did not vote to change owner-responsibility language at this meeting.
The meeting also included a consultant update from MS Consultants on GIS mapping of manholes, completed local paving, and W. Water St. survey work, which village staff said will feed into final project designs.
The council adjourned after returning from an executive session called to discuss personnel and other matters.
