September 2018 Administrator’s Report

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

September, 2018

 

 

UPDATE ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW LIFT STATION:

 

The construction of the new lift station continues.  New pumps are to arrive sometime after September 18th, electrical work and siting the generator along with the control panel for the lift station pumps.  They are hoping to be able to move to the N. Main Street site next week.  The pumps have arrived for that site.  The grinder for the lagoons has been installed and electrical is being finished.

 

WATER PLANT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT:

 

A pre-construction meeting with the water plant project contractor, engineer and this writer is set for Tuesday, September 18, 2018.  R. G. Zachrich Construction of Defiance will be completing the water plant improvements which include replacement of the filter media, piping replacement and clear well improvements.  All improvements are to be completed by December 31, 2018.

 

UNANTICIPATED WATER REPAIRS AND WATER RATES TO BE REVIEWED:

 

It should also be noted that emergency repairs to both High Service Pumps were undertaken this summer which were not anticipated, along with repairs to both Well #3 and #4 which will likely result in a request for a general fund transfer before the end of the year.  As the utilities are required to be self-supporting, water rates may have to be looked as the last rate increase went into effect in 2017.  A 3 to 5 percent yearly increase may be needed to ensure we operate and maintain the water system without asking for general funds.  Additionally, funding agencies, such as Ohio Public Works Commission, Ohio Water Development Agency, and EPA look at our rates to see if we are self-supporting and if we aren’t it lowers our chance of being funded.  All water and sewer funding is competitive and we are rates against all communities asking for grant and low interest funds.  A Utility Committee meeting will be scheduled to review our revenue and expenses and possible rate adjustments before the end of the year.

 

COMPLAINTS ON WATER SMELL:

 

Complaints have been received from the public concerning the smell of the water.  The utility department has been using Well #5 more than normal which has a higher sulfur content which has resulted in the water smell.  The water is safe and not contaminated even though it is harder to remove the smell.  Repairs to Well #3 and Well #4 should be completed soon and we can then go back to alternating water pulled from all three wells.  Additionally since the replacement of piping in Well #5 with stainless steel, testing shows lower iron and manganese which was the result we wanted in replacing the pipe.  Again once filter media is replaced this fall, water quality should improve.

 

OPWC WATERLINE PROJECT:

 

The village has submitted its application for funding through the Ohio Public Works Commission to apply to replace the waterline on S. Main Street from W. Daggett to Canal and the section of waterline from E. Canal, starting at S. Erie east to Water Plant Drive.   If funded, we would possible be notified by December or January.  The actual project would not be constructed until Summer of 2019 with a first repayment in 2020.   A review of all projects submitted in the County for these funds will be held on September 26, 2018 at the County Engineer’s Operation Center which this writer will attend.

 

PAULDING LAND BANK HAS COMPLETED THE DEMO OF 2 HOUSING UNITS:

 

Both properties the Village submitted to the Paulding County Land Bank, one located at 109 E. Daggett and the other at 114 E. Woodcox Street have been demolished, back filled and seeded.  The County Commissioners established this program which allows substandard properties to be demolished to improve neighborhoods.  The program will come to a close by the end of the year.  This writer has submitted several additional properties which are being reviewed by the County for consideration.  Unfortunately, one of the properties located at 204 E. Daggett, has a mortgage still on the property and the foreclosure process will take too long to complete before the end of the program.  I have submitted one more property which is currently in an estate and may end up taking too long to sign over and may not be able to be considered.  The land bank program covered the entire county of Paulding and the county tried to make available to all villages and townships this opportunity to have substandard buildings removed.  The Village appreciates that we were able to have 2 such properties removed and thanks the County for establishing this program.

 

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MET ON EMS SQUAD REPAIR:

 

The public safety committee met on Monday, September 10, 2018 to review and discuss a recent tire blow out on the EMS back up square which resulted in damage to the wheel well.  An estimate was obtained for the repair and EMS felt the repair and future of this unit should be reviewed by the committee.  This unit was originally scheduled for has a new box installed on the 1998 chassis but it was felt that with the unit being that old it might make more sense to just replace the unit instead of expending close to $107,000.00 for a new box on an old chassis.  The EMS vehicle replacement fund currently has $121,000.00 on hand and a new unit could cost approximately $140,000 to $160,000.00 which the EMS fund has available.

 

The public safety committee felt it made more sense to replace this unit than to spend the $100,000 on a new box but still have a used unit.  Committee asked the undersigned to research and see if there are state contracts for EMS vehicles and work with Ashley on getting further information on the replacement.  There are state contracts for EMS vehicles and this purchase would not have to be competitively bid.  Committee and Ashley can provide more information on this proposed replacement at Monday’s meeting.