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SALEM -- The Lincoln and Snyder Road water line connection has officially been completed.
Having received the long-stalled permit to install from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in November, the construction has officially been completed, with all pressure and bacteria testing completed. The connection has officially been in service since Nov. 27. All that remains to be completed for the project is above ground restoration work, which the department can't complete until the ground solidifies further.
Utilities Commission Chairman Bob Hodgson said he is happy to see the line in service and the project officially completed.
"I've been on the commission I think now 15 years, and that job was one of the early agenda items when I started on the commission, so it's good that finally got done," he said.
Commissioners also discussed the long-stalled cleaning of the Steward Road water tanks by Liquid Engineering. Utilities Superintendent Butch Donnalley said that the inground tank had been completed and had required to work of two dive teams over the course of 13 days -- 10 days by the first crew and three by the second. However, Donnalley said that the above ground tanks had not been completed due to safety concerns associated with recent winter weather conditions.
"The day they left it was snowing, and they can't crawl the towers in that for safety," said Donnalley.
In November's meeting Donnalley said he expected Liquid Engineering to remain in the area until the tank cleanings, which have already been delayed for over a year due to diver shortages, were completed. Donnalley said he was seeking rates from two other companies for tank cleanings, noting that he was "very displeased" with the status of the situation.
Donnalley also updated commissioners on the status of the East Cold Run Reservoir project. Donnalley said that the department was continuing with necessary boring work for dam repairs and that monitoring would potentially need to continue for as long as one to two years. However, Donnalley said that the department had received approval to conduct rip-rap repairs in the meantime to take advantage of the reduced water level, noting that "there was no problem" with the plan and that approval had been received nearly immediately after discussions of the plan had commenced.
The positive news continued as a representative from Benesch Engineering told commissioners they had completed an application for $5 million in infrastructure grant funding for water plant improvements. Hodgson noted that he was hopeful the shovel-ready nature of the project would position it well to receive funding, with significant grant awards recently made for similar projects in the area.
"Hopefully with the position we're in right now with the project being ready to go we'll be in line for some help on that," said Hodgson.
Commissioners also unanimously approved the award of the Goshen Road Water Line project bid to Sweet Meadow Farm Drainage for $275,440, which Hodgson said was roughly $80,000 under the original engineers estimate. Sweet Meadow is expected to be ready to begin construction within two weeks of the bid award.
Also discussed were updates to the insurance values of the department's assets. Hodgson said that he had discussed the matter with Benesch, who confirmed they can give the department updated replacement values. Hodgson said he would provide descriptions of buildings so they can begin to compile the updated values.
"Once he gets my description of the buildings and the size of the list, he is going to give us a number of what he thinks the cost is; but when I gave him some of the values his response was a hearty laugh and he said, 'you're slightly underinsured,' so we'll get that taken care of," said Hodgson.
Other financial matters discussed included the department's annual chemical contract bids as well as membership in the Association of Ohio Metropolitan Wastewater Agencies and Association of Ohio Drinking Water Agencies.
Bidding for the chemical contracts, which will have a term of March 15, 2024, through March 14, 2025, will be advertised Jan. 5 and 12 and bids will be opened Jan. 25.
Commissioners voted unanimously to retain the department's membership in both organizations, with yearly dues for wastewater being $1,404 and for drinking water being $554, for a total of $1,958.
Hodgson also took time to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season and to share his gratitude for the quality and efforts of the department's employees.
"Sitting in this chair as long as I have and getting to know what goes on, we have an outstanding group of people. We had several breaks recently, and the guys were out on the job. Things are going well with the improvements, and just an end of the year thank you to let you guys know we really appreciate what you all do. You do a good job, really makes life up here a lot easier," said Hodgson.
The Utilities Commission will meet next at 4 p.m. Jan. 18 for its annual organizational meeting.