Carroll commissioners debate Stony Lake sewer solutions amid cost concerns

At a lengthy Carroll County commissioners meeting Sept. 29, topics discussed were Dysautonomia awareness and the Stony Lake septic issues.

Carroll County commissioners, Ohio EPA’s Bill Zawiski, Health Commissioner Kelly Morris, Jim Nordquist of the Thrasher Group, Stony Lake property owners and others addressed the long-standing wastewater problems of Stony Lake and VoAsh Lake. 

Aging and outdated septic systems — many of them dry wells or leaching pits no longer permitted under Ohio regulations — have been flagged as a public health nuisance because they can allow untreated sewage to seep into groundwater and nearby surface water. Although some earlier well tests showed E. coli and coliform bacteria, residents questioned the validity and size of the sampling and said later cleanings cleared contamination. Still, health officials stressed the risk remains because most lots are small, wells are shallow and sewage can cycle back into drinking water.

The EPA outlined its formal process: the county must submit a general plan within one year and a permit to build a wastewater system within two, with the state able to offer low-interest loans and possibly principal forgiveness grants to reduce homeowner costs.

Residents were divided. Some, including full-time or year-round users, favored a centralized sewer system that could be financed over decades rather than forcing expensive individual septic replacements. Others argued their wells and systems function properly, the testing was inadequate and a public system could become cost-prohibitive for what is largely a part-time vacation community of about 40 properties and only a few permanent homes. 

Questions focused on funding, the potential burden on owners, alternative technologies and whether newer, upgraded systems could be grandfathered for several years. 

Officials emphasized that the EPA orders do not prescribe a single solution — the goal is simply to abate the health nuisance — and said they will explore financing options and alternative designs if a full sewer build proves infeasible or too costly.

In other business, commissioners:

— APPROVED staffing changes at the county dog pound. Commissioners voted to promote Fawn Auman from pound keeper to assistant dog warden at a rate of $15 per hour and to hire Stephanie Bennett as the new pound keeper in a part-time position at a rate of $12.75 per hour. Both employees will serve a six-month probationary period and may receive up to a 50-cent hourly pay increase at the end of that period. Commissioners also approved raising pound fees starting Jan. 1, 2026 increasing the seizure fee from $15 to $20 and the boarding fee from $3 to $5 per day to offset rising costs for gasoline and dog food.

— OPENED three bids for a project under WPCLF 2022-11 to install a septic system. Jon Stewart Excavating LLC of Travis submitted the lowest bid at $25,200. Streamlined Excavating LLC of Malvern bid $29,960.01 and Manzonie Excavating LLC of East Sparta bid $31,041.30. Commissioners voted to table the bids for review and plan to revisit them at their Oct. 2 meeting.

— PAID the bills of $119,967.01.