Mingo council outlines sewer, park goals
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MINGO JUNCTION -- Not knowing how soon the village's swimming pool and park facilities may open, Village Administrator Bob Smith told Mingo Junction Council on Tuesday he's preparing for them to be used this summer anyway.
Smith told council the swimming pool will be cleaned and repairs will be made to the splash pad in the event they can be opened in the weeks ahead.
He said he couldn't say whether the pool can be opened on Memorial Day weekend, its usual starting time, because the village hasn't received a ruling from public health officials regarding the safety of such facilities in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But Smith is proceeding with the hiring of a seasonal park manager, noting two individuals have applied for the job.
In related business, he told council he's received three estimates for the repavement of the area around the upper shelter at Aracoma Park and expects to name a contractor soon.
Smith noted the village was awarded a $26,869 NatureWorks grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the project. He said the village might be able to use labor by village crews as the 20 percent match required of the grant.
In other business, Smith suggested reducing the $30 water plant payment fee in the village's monthly water bill to $10 for next month to alleviate utility costs for those affected by the pandemic.
Established in 2016, the fee is used to make bond payments for improvements made to the water plant.
Smith said of the reduction, "I think it's something we should do for the village, just a good will gesture."
Council unanimously supported the move.
Smith told council a meeting will be held next week to outline construction of an equalization tank to prevent overflows at the wastewater treatment plant during heavy rain.
The meeting is expected to be attended by representatives of the Thrasher Group, engineer for the project; S.E.T. Inc., the contractor; and the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
The tank is in answer to an order by the EPA to separate combined sanitary and wastewater sewer lines that can allow contaminants to enter Cross Creek and ultimately, the Ohio River, during heavy rain.
The $5.2 million project will be funded with a zero-percent interest loan from the EPA and a $250,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission.
Smith said the tank offers an alternative to separating sewer lines along many streets, which would cost about three times as much, though there are a few streets where it will still have to be done.
He hopes for the work to commence in May.
Smith said plans to replace about 100 feet of sewer line near the south on-ramp to state Route 7 have been delayed because of a slip and deteriorating hillside in that area.
He said the Ohio Department of Transportation had planned to proceed with $500,000 in slip repairs there this summer but has since indicated the work may be postponed until 2024.
Smith said he's stressed the need to address that area sooner and is hopeful the project will be moved up.
Also on Tuesday:
¯ John Wright announced his reluctant decision to resign as fire chief. Wright indicated he was prompted by health issues though he hopes to remain involved with the Mingo Junction Fire Department, where he has worked for 29 years, and offered to outline qualifications for a successor.
¯ During the meeting, council took steps to prevent attendance from exceeding 10 people, with department heads stepping in and out to address the board. Citing present concerns about public gatherings, council decided to meet just once in May -- at 6:30 p.m. May 19 in the basement of the municipal building. It normally meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month except in June, July and August, when one meeting is held on the third Tuesday.