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NEWTON TOWNSHIP -- With the township having placed a gas aggregation issue on the Nov. 3 general election ballot, officials are looking at having the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) provide public informational meetings and publicity on the issue at no cost to the township.
Trustees placed the issue on the ballot to ask residents whether they should have the authority to aggregate retail natural gas customers in the township and enter into agreements for the sale and purchase of natural gas. Customers would be enrolled automatically unless they choose to opt out.
If passed in November, trustees could begin in December a plan for a local program.
Before any program is started there would be public hearings, program details, customer notices and opt-out rights information provided to residents.
Ross McDonald, director of community expansion for NOPEC, said if the issue is passed by the voters then residents still have the opportunity to opt out if they choose to do so.
He said NOPEC is willing to conduct a public education campaign at no cost to the township to provide the voters with information on gas aggregation.
"What that campaign would do is let voters know what a 'yes' vote would do and what a 'no' vote would do. We did a campaign like this last year for Plain City and the issue passed by 73%, which is almost unheard of," he said.
McDonald said postcards would be sent to township residents to educate them on what the ballot issue is about so they are as educated as much as possible prior to voting.
He said there would be information on the township website or social media site as well as town hall informational meetings.
"If this issue passes it does not automatically enroll anyone or set any rate structures. Passage simply gives this board the authority to create its own program," McDonald said.
He said NOPEC would never urge residents to vote for or against only providing information.
McDonald said Southington Township has also placed a similar issue on the ballot.
Trustee Chairman Pete Augusta said the township appreciates any help.
"There would be no fee to us for their help educating the voters on gas aggregation," he said.
McDonald said he would provide trustees with proposed meeting dates.
Trustee John Nemet said if passed the trustees would be the ones responsible for finding the best gas aggregation rates for the residents.
STUDY COSTS
In other business, Nemet, who represents the trustees on the Newton Falls Joint Fire District board, said that board had an environmental study done on the former fire department property at First Street and Canal Street at $13,000.
The fire department sold the property to Worldwide for $20,000 with the company giving the fire department a $3,000 deposit.
"We are going to ask the company to help us cover some of the study costs," Nemet said.
He said the study showed there were no indications of any gas leaks or spills incidents on the site. Nemet said the study showed there were no fuel storage tanks.
Nemet said maps showed that from 1928-1938 there was a former gas station at the site.
He said he hopes that Worldwide will proceed with locating their building at the site.