CENTERBURG — Centerburg council on Monday voted to take no action on the county’s request for the village to take over ownership of the Hazel Heights sewer system.
Hazel Heights is a 32-home subdivision on White Road in Hilliar Township. On the county auditor’s map, it is noted as Countryside Manor.
Because the homes are in the township, the county maintains the sewer system. Because the lines tie into the village’s system, the property owners pay a surcharge for service. Council’s consensus is that the lines were installed in the late 1960s to early ’70s.
The county requested the village to take over ownership of the system. The county has said it will use ARPA money (American Rescue Plan Act) to upgrade the system.
Village Administrator Joe Hardin said that taking ownership means the village will take on the cost of operation and maintenance. He said the county does not know what that cost would be.
Councilman Greg Myers feels the county is trying to dump the system on the village. Councilman Tom Stewart questioned the condition of the streets, noting the village needs to know costs now and in the future.
Mayor Greg Sands said that the revenue generated by the 100% surcharge is substantially higher than the 1% income tax the village would collect if the homes were annexed into the village. Additionally, the village would pick up road and flood maintenance.
“Since 2018, [the county] has not billed us for any charges for maintenance even though the village collects fees from the landowner,” he said. “My only condition before was if it was annexed, but we can’t make it work financially.”
For the subdivision to be annexed, at least 51% of the property owners must agree.
Councilman Dave Beck noted that several of the property owners have no desire to come into the village.
Regarding taking over ownership of the system, he said, “I don’t see any advantage.”
The village administrative and public service service committees discussed the county’s request. Both recommended that council take no action. Council voted unanimously to accept the committees’ recommendations and not pursue the issue at this time.
Hardin reported that he submitted a letter of intent to the state for a $1.254 million TAP (Transportation Alternatives Program) grant for the downtown streetscape project. The local share is $193,000 (13%) and covers engineering services.
If the state approves the project’s eligibility, he will then formally apply for the grant.
Hardin will also submit an Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) grant this week for Phase 3 of the South Hartford Avenue project. Work will be on South Hartford from Church Street to Main Street and include street resurfacing, new curbs and sidewalks, and widening the road a bit.
The village will pay the $200,000 cost through a $142,500 OPWC grant, a $47,500 loan, and $10,000 from the village.
Phase 2 of the Hartford Avenue project is from Church Street to Dally Street. That project is approved and construction will begin next year.
Council approved payment of $4,950 to Poggemeyer Design Group for engineering services related to repairing and renovating 27 N. Hartford Ave. Poggemeyer will assess the building, document repairs, recommend changes, and determine construction costs.
Village attorney Lauren Swihart said Whistle Stop Properties and Hilliar Township have signed the annexation agreement. Property owners William Saunders and Knox Community Hospital have not yet signed.
Regarding the Central Ohio Joint Fire District, Stewart said the department has hired three new part-time personnel. That brings staffing up to six part-time and 13 full-time members.
The plan is to hire two more full-time and six part-time personnel in March with money from the new levy.
He also noted that the COJFD received a $50,000 grant for rescue tools; the department will pay $25,000. COJFD will donate the old tools to the Knox County Career Center.
Council passed as an emergency a resolution authorizing Hardin to contract with Poggemeyer for a sludge handling study. Cost of the study is not to exceed $6,000. The village will use ARPA money to pay for the study.
Council waived the three readings and passed several other pieces of legislation as emergencies:
•A contract with Dublin Technical Systems Inc. for upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant, not to exceed $13,000
•An amendment increasing payment to Kokosing Construction Co. by $111.85 for South Hartford Avenue improvements. The original contract price was $84,563.40.
•An ordinance adjusting the pay for the utility billing clerk
•An ordinance authorizing the village to acquire telemedicine coverage for village employees
Council took the following additional actions:
•Tabled a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Mount Vernon Law Director’s Office for prosecutorial services. The village has not yet received the final agreement.
•Approved the appropriation of $116,587.93 in ARPA funds
•Approved compensation increases for village employees
•Approved a contract with the Ohio Department of Transportation for snow removal
•Authorized the village to acquire health insurance coverage for full-time employees
•Gave a second reading to ordinances relating to 2022 appropriations, amending the 2021 budget, honoring Stacie White’s years of service with Ohio Public Employee Retirement System, and amending the village’s codified ordinances
•Gave a first reading authorizing membership in the Regional Planning Commission at a fee of $556.50
•Gave a first reading to a resolution moving the $440,296.52 in the water fund into the sewer fund. The village no longer has a water department and has no need for the money to stay in the water fund.
•Approved the purchase of 200 tons of road salt for 2021-22 at a cost of $89.53 per ton
Delinquent Accounts
Fiscal Officer Shawna Hume reported that for 2020-21, the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) issued 450 delinquent letters for $41,150 owed; $16,277 was collected.
For 2021-22, RITA has issued 853 letters thus far.
Through its legal program, RITA has filed 19 lawsuits from Jan. 1, 2019, to date. Accounts totaled $39,053. Thus far, $22,630 has been collected. Legal expenses total $1,887.37.
