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EAST PALESTINE -- East Palestine village leaders announced during Monday's council meeting a house-cleaning program by Norfolk Southern will soon be rolled out in the village.
Specifics of the program, which was directed by the Region 5 Environmental Protection Agency, are still in development.
"The last few weeks the mayor and I have been meeting with the U.S. EPA. The U.S. EPA will be rolling out indoor-structure cleaning for the village residents," acting city manager Traci Pratt said. "Residents should be receiving information in the mail. There will be a registration process and details are soon to follow."
Homes and businesses are eligible for the indoor cleaning services.
"It's sort of up in the air right now, but I understand they are going to start out and work their way in. People outside the one-mile zone will start first, unless they are displaced."
Norfolk Southern representatives in attendance said that the program is still a work in progress and the biggest detail will be how the service will be communicated to those in the village. Residents will be notified electronically and through regular mail. Norfolk Southern said the service will be available to everyone and the railroad wants to make sure everybody in the village is notified.
Council also acknowledged the ripple effects the train derailment continues to have on village businesses.
"Some businesses are recovering and getting back on track. Other businesses are still struggling, so we will continue our efforts with the Port Authority to see if we can help them get back on their feet," said Linda May, Chair of the Development Committee.
Pratt reminded village business owners of the East Palestine Emergency Support Program and upcoming informational sessions planned to better explain the program, which was created by Gov. Mike DeWine, to provide loans to businesses impacted by derailment in East Palestine. According to the village's East Palestine Information Facebook Page, "the purpose of the sessions is to provide businesses with information on what to expect when applying for the program and will include " required documentation, reviewing criteria of the program, budgeting, eligibility for loan submissions and to answer any questions you may have." The village "strongly encourages any such business who is thinking of applying to attend either of the sessions so that you know what to expect when applying." Up to $5 million is available for zero-percent interest, forgivable loans. Eligible businesses can apply for loans ranging $10,000-$1,000,000 per business, with up to a 15-year term with no principal due for up to the first two years of the loan term. Loan amounts may not exceed the eligible business' 2022 gross revenue and can be used to assist with ongoing expenses and recovery efforts.
Council also discussed the potential revising of an ordinance to allow alcohol in the park. Council agreed to revisit the topic in the future, citing an abundance of other matters that are more pressing in nature.
In other news, the village council approved a resolution to ask residents to renew the 1.5-mill fire levy and approved the absorption of an alley into the property of East Palestine City Schools. The school district will maintain the alley. A third reading of the revised vendor ordinance was read and approved by all members of council with the exception of Mark Walker.
In other matters, Pratt said bids for renovation work on the Train Depot, which will be paid for by Norfolk Southern, will be taken sometime in mid-August or early September. Village companies are encouraged to bid on the work which is projected to be completed around Nov. 1.