×

Hospital, city treat sewer issue

Warren administration to begin negotiation with Mercy Health on logistics for Champion site

WARREN — Council voted Wednesday to allow the administration to begin negotiations with Mercy Health over wastewater treatment needed for its new hospital site near Kent State University at Trumbull in Champion.

Some council members wanted to delay the vote so a committee meeting could be held to get more information about the project.

Councilwoman Cheryl Saffold, D-6th Ward, expressed concern about what would happen to the current St. Joseph Warren Hospital Eastland campus when the hospital relocates.

Mayor Doug Franklin said hospital leaders assured him the system plans to keep a presence at the Eastland campus, but he did not provide any details. Franklin noted Mercy Health already has determined it will be moving and council cannot stop the process. However, he added, Mercy Health does have to use the city’s sewer system.

The proposed agreement between the city and the hospital chain will have the city work to stop the inflow of four gallons of water in exchange for the hospital’s ability to add one gallon into the system.

“They already have identified sections of the city where they can reduce the water inflow into the system,” Councilman Greg Greathouse, D-3rd Ward, said.

Without this agreement, the city’s wastewater plant does not have the capacity to take in new sewage to be treated. Franklin told council any new construction primarily will be financed by Mercy Health.

Law Director Enzo Cantalamessa noted construction will be part of a multimillion-dollar project.

He argued against a delay in the vote because Mercy Health has expressed concern that construction could take between 12 and 18 months to complete and it is losing the 2021 construction season.

“To date, everyone I’ve spoken to said they remain committed to the city,” Cantalamessa said.

Councilman Ken MacPherson, D-5th Ward, voted against the ordinance because he said he wanted more information.

“The representative from the sewer department described the information sketchy,” MacPherson said. “We don’t know anything about the legislation because they would not give us details about the project, such as where it will be located, how much will be spent or who will pay for what. I will always vote against sketchy. “

In other business, council:

• Unanimously passed legislation strengthening its ordinance dealing with abandoned dogs, cats and other domestic animals. The legislation identifies abandonment as leaving it at a location, other than its home, for more than 30 minutes at a time.

A person cited for abandonment will be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor, which is punishable by a six-month prison sentence and up to a $1,000 fine.

• Unanimously voted to pass legislation that will allow the city to purchase a new fire rescue truck from Sutphen Corp. at a cost of $595,439.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
     

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.85/week.

Subscribe Today