Weathersfield waterline project gets federal grant

Homeowners may not have to pay tap-in fees

WARREN -- A $700,000 Small Underserved Disadvantaged Community grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may allow the owners of 43 properties in Weathersfield to receive new waterlines at little to no cost.

The estimated $1.2 million Stillwagon Water Improvement project -- expected to begin installation later this year and completed in early 2027 -- is being financed with a $500,000 American Rescue Plan grant and now its local share may be paid for through the federal grant, according to Gary Newbrough, director of the Trumbull County Sanitary Engineer department.

"This is a petition project for water," Newbrough said. "After we were awarded the ARP funds, we sought a low interest loan from the Ohio EPA's Water Supply Revolving Loan Account."

During the 2024 public hearings outlining the project, county officials told property owners if a loan for the $700,000 was not obtained to pay for the local share, property owners would have to pay an average of $13,000 per property for new lines. The amount would be based on the size of the properties.

Newbrough told Trumbull County Commissioners during Wednesday's meeting that the project ranked so high in the government's assessment it was provided a grant instead of a loan.

"If the costs remain within the engineer's estimates, property owners will not have to pay anything for the new waterlines," Newbrough said. "If this costs more than projected, property owners will have to pay a small fraction of the original amount estimated."

The waterline will be placed near the intersection of Crane and Stillwagon roads near the McKinley Heights Fire Station in Weathersfield, travel to the intersection of Anderson-Morris Road, and then turn left onto Stillwagon Road.

There are no waterlines in the area and property owners now receive water from wells. Once the lines are placed, they will be turned over to the city of Niles, which will supply water.

Newbrough noted that during the public hearing to determine if the project should go forward, only 56% of the owners voted for having the waterline installed.

In other action Wednesday, the commissioners:

• Approved a $4,085.27 contract with CBTS Technology Solutions LLC of Cincinnati to provide three Cisco wireless network internal service point units for the Trumbull County Emergency Management Agency headquarters, 773 Everett Hull Road, Bazetta. Trumbull's IT Department will complete the installation of the equipment.

• Approved a $6,250 contract with Marks's Signs and Lighting and Maintenance LLC of Cortland for the purchase and installation of a sign and awning at the county's EMA new headquarters in Bazetta.

• Approved a $114,758.50 contract with Yankee Clipper Company Inc. for the 2026 pavement marking program.

• Awarded a contract to Correct RX Pharmacy Services Inc. of Hanover to provide medication to inmates in the Trumbull County jail.