BROOKFIELD — While two township residents expressed annoyance that they wouldn’t be getting the $10,000 they put forward back, they and all of the residents at a public hearing endorsed sewer improvements Wednesday.

The Stateline Road Sanitary Sewer Improvements project was petitioned for by residents a decade ago. The project involves constructing approximately 385 linear feet of 8-inch PVC sanitary pipe, 48 linear feet of 6-inch sanitary sewer laterals within the public right-of-way and two precast concrete manholes.

The system will convey sewage flow generated by property owners within the area to Sharon, Pa.’s Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The project has an estimated total cost of $165,600, with $138,430 being construction costs alone. With $90,000 in ARP grant money and a $75,600 0% APR loan through the Ohio EPA Water Pollution Control Fund make up the total funding sources, according to Trumbull County Sanitary Engineer Gary Newbrough.

To retire from the $75,600 loan, Newbrough explained property owners would be paying a $35 a month capital charge between the six users of the improvement, as $2,520 is the loan’s yearly payment.

They also will be charged a $3-a-month replacement improvement fee and other miscellaneous fees, such as tap-in to procure a sewer permit, plumbing inspection and septic abandonment.

Newbrough said the board of commissioners allocated $600,000 in ARP funds for countywide sewer connections to help pay the additional costs, except for tap-in fees, for which the county’s planning commission plans to send information.

Newbrough said they hope to get started with the project “on or before” July, but they also have some milestones to take care of before that, such as the Ohio EPA permit to install and advertising the project for bids.

Raymond Donahue, a Masury resident, asked what would happen to the $10,000 residents invested in the project for drawings and miscellaneous items.

Newbrough said they would not be reimbursed for the costs, regardless if they were EPA-approved then.

“We had to make revisions until we went to submit them (the drawings) a second time. But that’s not to say they weren’t for good drawing,” Newbrough said. “I know you all invested in that, and we wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t invested in that engineering.”

Newbrough said the $10,000 was a “primary driver” in why he asked for a petition for the project, as the sanitary engineer’s office did not want the money to go to waste.

“If not for that $10,000, this capital charge of $35 would be higher. If not for the $10,000, factor that in and divide that out,” Newbrough said. “It did reduce your capital charge for this project.”

VERBAL SUPPORT

All of the attending residents pledged their verbal support to the project.

Donahue admitted that while not getting the money back left a bad taste for him, he was still looking forward to the project.

Trustee Mark Ferrera thanked the commissioners for funding the project, as it was empowering as a smaller township.

“It’s very heartwarming to hear that this is the smallest project, and we’re getting funded here in Brookfield Township,” he said. “It’s good to know the little guy or girl has some power, so thank you for doing it.”

Trustee Dan Suttles said he was “elated” that the project, a decade in the works, was being done, recalling when he spoke to Donahue about it in his bid for trustee years ago.

Trumbull County Commissioner Denny Malloy noted how big of a deal it was for the residents, despite it being a small thing that wasn’t made possible except for ARP funds.

“There’s so many people that need service in the county. I mean literally, thousands of people need service in the county and wish they were in your shoes,” Malloy said. “Not only are you getting it, you’re getting it for half price and better.”

Malloy said he was glad there was such a consensus on the project, recalling projects in similar areas that were offered financial aid, but residents still fought against it.