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WARREN – The Trumbull County commissioners approved $900,000 in American Rescue Plan funds to be used for sanitary lateral connections for property owners on Scott Street in Newton Township.
The commissioners’ allocation will allow the village of Newton Falls, which will operate and maintain the new sewer line, to accept a $2.9 million fully forgivable loan from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. This loan, as well as a $850,000 Ohio Public Works grant, will completely fund the construction of the main line.
The long-delayed sewer project is required to be done as part of a consent decree between the county and the Ohio EPA.
Newton Falls officials last week estimated there are 113 residential households on Scott Street that could be connected to the proposed sewer line.
County Sanitary Engineer Gary Newbrough, however, previously estimated the number households in the area that would qualify for assistance under programs available to the county likely would be closer to 80.
“We are working in partnership with Newton Falls (village), the township, the sanitary engineer’s department, the EPA, to make this project work to provide cleaner water in the Mahoning River and to provide services for the waste,” Commissioner Denny Malloy said.
He did question the attorney’s opinion, because what was approved by the attorney before the commissioners voted was slightly different than what Newbrough intended.
Newbrough intended for the tie in fee for those living up to 300 percent above the federal poverty guidelines and below to be completely covered. This means for a household of one to four, anyone with a household income of $83,250 or less would be covered.
The original paper turned into legal shows that Newbrough scratched out other guidelines that would require residents living from 300 percent to 100 percent above the federal poverty guidelines, but the legal opinion seemingly ignored the changes he made. Malloy said he was worried that this discrepancy would cause problems down the road.
“I know this was pushed on us really, really quick. I didn’t like the way we were kind of bullied yesterday by a group when we have 90 ARP grants and this one had to go to the front. I do understand the consent decree. I do understand the hard work that went into this,” Malloy said. “I do understand it’s a one-time deal to get matching money and there is a timeline of June. Our backs are up against the wall a little bit, but I would caution any other entity to not bull rush the board like this again.”
“It’s not fair to all the other projects, all the other townships, all the other people and citizens in the county to do that. This was something they told us the demands. They want $900,000. They want it now or deal’s off and we get sued by the EPA,” Malloy continued.
The commissioners held meetings about ARP funds and projects on Tuesday afternoon and on Wednesday evening.
For more on this story, read Thursday’s Tribune Chronicle.