ST. CLAIRSVILLE The future of water service and other long-range future projects were up for discussion among St. Clairsville city leaders Monday.<\/p>\n
St. Clairsville is continuing preparations to discontinue the aging water treatment plant according to Ohio Environmental Protection Agency mandates and switch to purchasing Belmont County water through an existing line.<\/p>\n
Mayor Kathryn Thalman said she is in the process of scheduling a water audit for August with an Rural Community Assistance Partnership representative and with engineer Jeff Vaughn, who is working on the changeover process and had conducted a report finding it financially feasible.<\/p>\n
There will be a kick-off meeting between Belmont County, several other towns in the area, regarding water audits, Thalman said, adding a date has not been set and the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed activity. At this juncture we are planning to have the meeting in our council chambers, but of course it will depend on any COVID protocols.<\/p>\n
In addition, Thalman said that now all the city buildings are metered, they have determined St. Clairsvilles water loss is not 57 percent as has been reported, but 28 percent.<\/p>\n
Having the buildings metered has been very enlightening already to identify water loss, she said.<\/p>\n
In answer to a question from Council President Jim Velas, the Cumberland Trail fire department is metered.<\/p>\n
Also, Thalman and other city officials are meeting with the planning company Burgess & Niple to speak about ongoing concerns of traffic tie-ups through downtown St. Clairsville, frequently following accidents and traffic jams on Interstate 70.<\/p>\n
Thalman said 55,000 cars pass through I-70 daily and accidents are increasing and undue strain is being placed on the city infrastructure from fracking trucks and 18-wheelers driving on roads not built to support them.<\/p>\n
In order to be ready for future development, these planners are reaching out to the state and see what kind of funding might be available to plan alternate accesses, Thalman said.<\/p>\n
Also, Councilman Mark Bukmir commented on the ongoing search for a service director and asked if Don Smithberger, supervisor of general services, could be consulted in the search and process, due to his in-depth knowledge of infrastructure needs.<\/p>\n
In other matters, a finance and a utility committee meeting will be scheduled. Finance Director Annette Williams suggested an in-person or teleconference meeting, since the 2021 budget is due to the Belmont County auditor by July 15.<\/p>\n
Williams will also check and determine if funds from the citys Tax Increment Financing fund for the St. Clair Commons can be used to supplement a payment for a past loan for upgrades to the city reservoir.<\/p>\n
I agree, we have to have a finance meeting, Councilman Mike Smith said.<\/p>\n
Options include a teleconference, an in-person meeting with the committee and teleconference available for the public, or holding a teleconference meeting immediately before the next council meeting.<\/p>\n
Council President Jim Velas said teleconference council meetings would likely continue to the first meeting of July at least, since state regulations regarding social distancing could not be kept otherwise.<\/p>\n
Also, Planning and Zoning Director Tom Murphy reminded residents they must obtain permits prior to starting any construction project.<\/p>\n
Councilwoman Linda Jordan reported the playground is open, as is the Memorial Park pool.<\/p>\n
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St. Clairsville is making progress on water service - Martins Ferry Times Leader<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ST. CLAIRSVILLE The future of water service and other long-range future projects were up for discussion among St. Continue reading