WARREN — Trumbull County commissioners this week committed more than $2.7 million of American Rescue Plan Act money to provide for several water and sewer projects across the county.

The total estimated cost of proposed projects is $3.6 million.

One of three water projects is the Stillwagon Road Water Improvements in Weathersfield Township, estimated at $681,105. It received $250,000 in ARPA funds.

The funds will be used to reduce the frontage assessments from $80 to $50 per front foot for the 26 property owners within the project area.

A public hearing will be scheduled to discuss the project with residents.

Commissioners also approved using $435,000 in ARPA funds to do required engineering studies for Phase 2 of the Blueprint to Prosperity Waterline Initiative project in Braceville. ARPA funds are being used to pay for total cost of the engineering work. An estimated 108 properties will be affected by the planned work.

The Blueprint project is a $15 million effort, for which the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency forgave approximately 75 percent of the cost.

There was a $5 million debt that users of the water are paying for in fees.

Since being completed in 2019, the line has delivered water to residents in Braceville, Southington, Farmington and West Farmington.

Commissioners also approved using $350,000 for engineering work needed to prepare for the establishment of a second bulk water provider to the Braceville district.

When completed, approximately 100 properties will have access to new waterline services

Approximately 150 properties in Vienna, Brookfield, Weathersfield and other areas of the county will have the opportunity for improved sewer line services due to the infusion of $1,725,000 worth of ARPA funds for $2.17 million in projects.

Sanitary sewer improvement projects at Smith Stewart Road and at Scoville Drive in Vienna will help reduce the front footage costs for the owners of 29 priorities. The assessment costs will be reduced from $200 per square foot to $75 per square foot.

With this approval, the county will schedule public hearings for the property owners to review the new financial costs.

Thanks to an approved $90,000 ARPA award, six property owners in Brookfield will see monthly capital charge for Stateline Road Sanitary Sewer Improvements reduced to $30 per month. The estimated cost of the project is $155,300.

Also, $350,000 has been approved for engineering services for Crain Drive Sanitary Sewer Improvement project in Weathersfield. Once completed, this project will affect 55 properties. The total cost of the engineering work is $350,000.

The Trumbull County Sanitary Lateral Assistance Program, or SLAP, was awarded $600,000 in ARPA funds to provide financial assistance to qualified property owners to connect to mainline sanitary sewers substantially complete and available for connections. Approximately 60 property owners throughout the county will be affected by these additional funds.

The funds are for engineering and administrative services, permits and construction necessary for the sanitary lateral connections.

Commissioners board President Denny Malloy said approval of these water and sewer projects using ARPA funds is allowing the county to address issues first brought to the county in 2007.

“We are moving forward,” Malloy said. “There is nothing to stop up from moving forward together for the right reasons.”

Commissioner Niki Frenchko requested that commissioners ask legal counsel to consider using ARPA money to provide funds for the Household Sewage Treatment System program to help elderly and low income residents, often in rural areas of the county, with state mandated sewer repair issues.

Frenchko said some residents are being taken to court because they cannot afford to make improvements to their sanitary sewers.

“I believe it is an eligible activity,” Frenchko said. “The program has a waiting list of between 37 and 39 people.”

Commissioner Mauro Cantalamessa agreed at looking at the HSTS program’s eligibility for the ARPA funds, but said commissioners should meet with the Trumbull County Planning Commission first, because it administers the HSTS program.

Julie Green, planning commission director, said its board would be willing to meet with commissioners to discuss the program.