QUESTIONS — Jefferson County Commissioners say the only way they'll take on Warren township's troubled water system is if Bergholz and Amsterdam waterline replacements are part of the funding package. -- Linda Harris
STEUBENVILLE — The Jefferson County Commissioners are willing to submit another letter of intent to bring in the beleaguered Warren water system, but warned they won’t take it on unless the funding package also addresses their need to update aging water lines in Bergholz and Amsterdam.
Commissioners told Jefferson Water and Sewer Service Director Mike Eroshevich he can bring them another letter of intent but said they won’t go beyond that without assurances that funding is in place for all three systems.
Eroshevich said the county’s Ohio EPA representative had asked for a letter “reaffirming our interest in the Warren water takeover” after a conversation with Commissioner Eric Timmons earlier in the week.
“I told her we need to look at all three of these together,” Timmons said. “She said that doesn’t change, but she still needs a LOI for Warren Water and the other systems can come later.”
Later, Eroshevich said the takeover “is on hold until we secure funding to repair that system and replace the waterlines in Bergholz and Amsterdam.”
“The EPA has requested us to reaffirm our interest in acquiring that system,” he added. “Our position is we will take it over if we receive funding to rehab that system as well as replace the waterlines (in the other two communities.)”
Eroshevich told commissioners OEPA “should have a better idea of the funding package” within the next week.
“EPA wants us to take them over similar to some of the other communities that water and sewer currently have, the latest being the wastewater plant in Smithfield,” Commissioner Tony Morelli said. “I am fine with trying to help out the Warren water customers, however … if we do that it means the county would have 19 water tanks. My point is, by taking over these different communities all over the county our costs are much more for upkeep and regular maintenance. Unless EPA helps fund some of our other systems, I would not be for taking over another one — Amsterdam and Bergholtz’s water systems are on their last legs. They both need lots of work, which is going to take lots of money.”
Commissioner Dave Maple reiterated his position hasn’t changed.
“We’ll continue to communicate and work with OEPA, but I wouldn’t be in favor of taking over another system until we take care of the ones we have,” Maple said, adding that includes Bergholz and Amsterdam waterlines. “If there’s a way to get those two moving and Warren water is part of the funding proposal, I’d be OK with that. But as a stand-alone project, I’m not in favor of that.”
Commissioners also were told by their consultant, Bricker Graydon’s Jeffrey Harris, that they can give the village of Stratton some of their remaining ARPA funds if they wish, provided they’re certain it’s an eligible use, trustees follow federal bidding requirements, and the auditor monitors how the funds are being expended. Harris said they would need someone, possibly an engineer, to sign off on the project’s eligibility.
Stratton Mayor Paul Zdinak had asked commissioners for help with their stormwater lift station project, requesting as much as $200,000 “or whatever you feel you can give us.” He’d said they secured a $566,000 grant and a $300,000 loan, but with help from the county they could divert some of the loan money to a valve replacement project and still get the lift station done.
“There’s going to be a lot of work to do it,” Timmons said. “There’s got to be a lot of work done just to make sure it’s compliant. We’re going to have to dig in deep and see what (is best).”
Maple agreed, pointing out that while their consultant said it’s doable, the onus is on them to make sure everything done to date complies with the ARPA regulations — and, if they choose to proceed, that it continues until the work is done.
“There’s still work to be done,” Maple said. “I think the message is that it’s possible but there might be concerns and they might be big enough concerns that we can’t move forward.”
Now that they know they can transfer some of their ARPA money if they choose, “commissioners would have to vote on giving Stratton money, which we have not done,” Morelli said.
Commissioners also indicated they will follow the county airport authority’s recommendation regarding local entrepreneur Eric Bate’s request to buy property he’s currently leasing from them.
While applauding Bates as a “great economic engine for this area,” authority members cited concerns with the parcel’s proximity to the airport operations area, saying it “lies at a relative elevation, making prime aircraft movement areas, aeronautical operations areas and essential services that support flight operations.” They also voiced concern they might run afoul of FAA regulations.
“Most of the time it feels like it’s better in private hands, but we have an airport board, I think they do a good job, and I don’t want to jeopardize funding or anything like that,” Timmons commented.
Commissioners also:
• Opened bids for paving their parking lot across from the Tower building on Market Street. Submitting bids were START LLC. of Mingo Junction, $597,779; Fort Steuben Maintenance of Steubenville, $621,193; Cast & Baker of Canonsburg, $651,376.50; NLS Paving of St. Clairsville, $670,156.05; and Ohio-West Virginia Excavating of Powhatan Point, $797,261.
The engineer’s estimate was $663,729
• Agreed to advertise for bids to replace the Jefferson County Service Complex roof. The engineer’s office and Jefferson Water and Sewer District will share the cost, estimated at $566,663.
• Were notified by Chief Deputy Engineer Clay Merrin that the engineer’s office has been awarded a $75,000 grant through Ohio EPA for construction of a new salt storage facility at the eastern garage. Greystone Construction will supply and erect the building, and county forces will prepare the site. Total cost is estimated at $153,118, he said.
• Received a petition from Island Creek township residents requesting a public road be designated .20 miles east from state Route 213 along county Road 46 at the intersection of Pine Lane “and running east and ending at a turn-around.”
• Signed contracts with C&M Environment Co. of Steubenville for the McCollough Children’s Home roof replacement project, not to exceed $254,548, and Ohio-West Virginia Excavating, $86,167.
• Announced the 2025 tax budget hearing will be done during their July 11 meeting.
• Signed off on the Jefferson County Regional Planning Commission’s partnership with the city of Toronto for the 2024 Community Housing Impact and Preservation Program.
• Acting on the recommendation of Jobs andFamily Services Director Michele Santin, commissioners accepted the resignation of Matt Kendall as assistant director/human resources administrator.
• Announced the courthouse will be closed Wednesday in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.
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