County OKs bank loans for BL sewage project

LISBON - Columbiana County Commissioners approved the securing of two bank loans for the sewage treatment plant project nearly completed near Beaver Local Schools, with one loan to cover a funding shortfall and the other to cover tap fees for two entities.

Troy Graft, chief engineer of the county Engineer's Office, explained the first loan of $383,000 will be repaid with user fees over a 10-year period. The second loan of $192,250 will cover the tap fees for Cross Roads assisted living facility at the corner of Echo Dell and Bell School roads and the Echo Dell Trailer Park located on Echo Dell Road, to be repaid by the entities over 6 years.

The project was estimated to cost $850,000, with entities to be served by the plant agreeing to foot part of the bill, with $200,000 each from Beaver Local schools on state Route 7 and Cross Roads, $50,000 from the trailer park, and $80,000 from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The $192,250 loan amount represents part of the funds from Cross Roads and the trailer park. Cross Roads already helped pay for a pumping station.

User fees to be paid monthly by the entities include $2,500 for the school district, $1,000 for the trailer park and $1,500 for the assisted living facility. The line goes to the Beaver Creek State Park property line, but hasn't been hooked on.

County officials said the new plant could spur economic development near the state Routes 11 and 7 intersection and the area in general.

In other business, the commissioners heard a complaint from a woman against the Sheriff's Office over the handling of a burglary at a property she owns in the county. She resides in Stark County. She questioned what was being done and noted that a second break-in occurred after the first one.

Commissioner Jim Hoppel said the commissioners have no control over the Sheriff's Office and suggested she talk to the prosecutor's office during the interim before a new sheriff is appointed since Sheriff David Smith was resigning effective Sunday.

The commissioners also noted receipt of a notice from the Ohio Department of Agriculture regarding a draft permit to operate sought by V.I.Z Poultry, 41129 Bandy Road, Homeworth.

Copies of the permit may be viewed at the Columbiana Soil and Water Conservation District Office, 1834-B S. Lincoln Ave., Salem, by calling 330-332-8732 for an appointment. The permit can also be viewed at the ODA Livestock Environmental Permitting Program offices in Reynoldsburg.

Written comments or requests for a public meeting can be sent to ODA Livestock Environmental Permitting Program at 8995 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068 no later than 5 p.m. Sept. 23.