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Girard council mulling sewer rate increase

GIRARD — Sewer customers likely will see a 7 percent rate increase by mid-year to help finance $18 million in improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment plant mandated by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

Safety Director Jerry Lambert told city council Monday the increase — from $7.02 per 1,000 gallons to $7.50 per 1,000 gallons — would be part of the June billing. City council, however, has yet to approve the rate increase. Customers receive a bill every two months.

Girard acquired five acres near the treatment plant off U.S. Route 422 near the border of Youngstown for the expansion.

Mayor James Melfi said communities across the state are being required to make improvements to hold more wastewater capacity and prevent water overflows during heavy rain.

”The EPA is forcing us to do this and putting the burden of the costs on the backs of our sewer customers,” Melfi said, noting this will not be the only rate increase needed to cover costs.

Melfi said in the late 1980s when improvements were mandated by the EPA, cities used to have state funding available for as much as 55 percent to help cover costs and now there is zero. He also said there are no grants available.

Dennis Meek, the city’s acting engineer and independent contractor managing the project for the city, and Dan Moss, a consultant with Burgess and Niple, said the project is scheduled to start in the fall and take one year.

Officials said sewer rates were increased by 21 percent in 2015. A rate study called for a 5 percent increase to be implemented beginning in January, but it was not, so a larger increase is needed now to make up for the first quarter of 2017, Moss said.

Meek said in addition to the $16 million in construction costs, there is also $2 million in engineering fees, administrative and other costs.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com

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