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Village project phase nearly done

WINTERSVILLE – After more than a year of hard work, the first phase of the wastewater treatment plant update is almost complete.

According to Village Administrator Walt Ziemba, 80 percent of the project is done. He briefed council members on the project Thursday night.

“We have used up our $1 million from public works and the OWA loan we are still working with currently,” he explained. “Paving will be delayed unless we get some nice weather in the next few weeks. The landscaping at the plant will be completed next year. Everything is moving along smoothly and on track.”

Phase 1 includes headwords, new screening, grit and grease removal; a new grit classifier building; new influent and effluent flow monitoring; a new aerobic digester tank; a new scum pump station; replacement of the aeration diffusers; a new belt filter press; rehabilitation of the clarifiers; geodesic dome clarifier covers; a UV disinfection system; an update to the electrical system; the addition of two new blowers; raising the flow EQ tank wall; and asphalt resurfacing.

Phases 2 and 3 of the project are in the works, Ziemba said.

“We are still waiting to hear back from the EPA on any changes to the plan we submitted for Phase 2,” he noted. “Once we get those back, I will be asking council to accept a bid date. Phase 2 of the project will focus on updating the lift stations with computer capability lines and a remote monitoring system. We are also beginning to work on Phase 3 of the project, gathering information and useful data.”

Council members heard from village resident Nancy McAdam, who voiced her concern regarding a village ordinance.

“My grandson recently befriended a potbelly pig and I was made aware there is an ordinance in the village against having farm animals or swine,” she began. “I wanted to come and speak with council to see if there is anything we can do to keep her. She is bottle fed, walks on a leash and is litter trained. She shouldn’t get more than 80 to 100 pounds, which is the size of many dogs in the area. We would like to keep her, but don’t want to break any rules.”

Mayor Bob Gale expressed his appreciation for McAdam, but also noted that the ordinance is very clear.

“Unfortunately, we go through this a lot with residents who want to have chickens, horses, etc.,” he stated. “I would like to say yes to you and everyone else who may have an issue, however, it is in an ordinance and there is no way that we can go against that. The ordinance is very clear. And once you veer off of an ordinance for one person, it can get kind of messy.”

In other matters:

– The 34th-annual Ray Laman Christmas party will begin at 10 a.m. Dec. 14 at St. Florian Hall.

– Council approved a motion to offer Village Solicitor Chris Becker a two-year contract in December.

– The annual village Christmas parade will begin at 3 p.m. Dec. 1 starting at Riesbeck’s and ending at Kroger. Those interested in participating can contact the village offices at (740) 266-3175.

– Village offices will be closed Thursday and Nov. 29 in observance of Thanksgiving. Thursday sanitation will be picked up Wednesday. The Nov. 29 collection will not be changed.

– A finance committee meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the municipal building to review the 2014 budget.

– Village representative Bob Laukert presented information to council regarding the November meeting of the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission.

The next council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at the municipal building.

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