LISBON — The deadline to apply for the first round of the expanded water well testing related to the East Palestine train derailment is coming up on Oct. 31, with Columbiana County Health District Environmental Director Laura Fauss saying the collecting of samples will begin next month.

“We’ve got a lot of interest, so that’s promising,” she told health board members during their meeting this week.

The details about the free expanded sampling program were issued last month for private wells outside of the established priority zones near East Palestine, funded though a $2 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. To be considered for this first round, applications must be submitted to the county health district by the end of this month. Applications can be printed from the health district’s website at www.columbiana-health.org or picked up during normal business hours at the district headquarters, 7360 state Route 45, Lisbon.

Up to 100 water wells will be sampled in the first round, likely starting in November. Subsequent rounds will sample 100 water wells per year, with the program scheduled to run through 2031.

During the board meeting, Health Services Administrator Amanda Amato issued a reminder about the upcoming drive-thu flu vaccine clinic from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 22 at the vaccination complex at the county fairgrounds off of Lee Avenue, Lisbon. Registration closes at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 21. To register, call 234-320-5936 and have insurance information ready when calling. Most insurance plans are accepted, with uninsured residents welcome and self-pay by cash or check also an option.

Amato said two walk-in flu clinics are being scheduled also on Oct. 29, with one from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Salineville and one in Columbiana from 1 to 3 p.m. More details will be announced in the near future.

As for COVID-19 vaccine, she said they’re still awaiting guidelines and don’t know anything at this point.

A question was raised on whether the drive-thru clinic attracted enough people to make it worthwhile. Health Commissioner Dr. Wes Vins said holding a clinic at the vaccination complex keeps the staff fresh to maintain a high level of readiness and maintains the relationship with the fair board. About 75 people came through the clinic last year and Vins said it’s beneficial for a lot of folks who may not have as much access since it’s a drive-thru.

Vins reported that a representative of the University of Kentucky, which was allotted $2 million towards health research related to East Palestine, will make a presentation to the board at the next meeting, set for 4:30 p.m. Nov. 19.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for us to hear what she has to say,” Vins said.

An event from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 22 at East Palestine High School auditorium will feature representatives from several universities giving presentations on their ongoing research related to East Palestine in the aftermath of the train derailment, including the University of Kentucky.

In other business, the board heard an update on the Pancake Clarkson Road nuisance issue, with Fauss saying the next step is taking the owner to court. After a great deal of discussion, the board tabled a variance for a home on Williams Court, East Liverpool, which is a new housing development in St. Clair Township, requesting additional information or alternatives. Apparently, the contractor installing the septic system messed up and now the health department is trying to fix the situation.

Board President Gary Dailey expressed concerns about the placement of the leech lines in proximity to the water well and whether the well on a neighboring property could be affected when it’s installed. He also expressed a need to hold the contractor accountable.

The board approved a confidential agreement related to cyber security service, saying by law the details don’t have to be made public since it deals with cyber security. The board also approved an agreement with Health Space for $10,000 for software programming for the food service inspections that can be expanded for other programs. The department had been using Health Space through the state the past five years, but the state recently switched to a new provider and the new programming was cumbersome and hard to use, so the health department decided to get Health Space on its own. Vins said Health Space is more efficient and “this is a tool for us to grow.”

The board renewed its Medical Mutual insurance plan for medical for the employees, with a increase of only 4.7 % for the premiums in 2026.

A backflow agreement was approved with the Lisbon Board of Public Affairs for $3,200 per year for the health department to administer the backflow program for the village.

mgreier@mojonews.com