Hilltop Drive sanitary sewer project behind schedule

The $1.2 million-plus Hilltop Drive sanitary sewer project is far behind schedule, according to Scio Village Administrator Jason Tubaugh.

The project, which began last November by Tucson, has hit several snags, including “issues with residents signing the easement to provide sanitary services,” Tubaugh said.

Tubaugh said letters were sent to two residents who are refusing to sign the easement agreement.

“Because they’re going to be forced to do it whether they want to or not,” Tubaugh said.

Tubaugh said the village, engineering firm Thrasher and contractor Tucson met Jan. 21, when change orders were submitted to locate sewer laterals on Main Street and to address “several septics on Hilltop.”

“But the amount of money the contractor requested, I felt, was too high,” Tubaugh said. “So those are still pending, and we’re still trying to work through that.”

Tubaugh said the project must be completed by May 31 or the grant money will run out.

“I’m glad Jeannie said that they were working very diligently but unfortunately, they’re considerably behind,” Tubaugh said.

He said the work is about 20% complete and the contractor’s schedule must be updated and resubmitted. He said an additional pipe layer and dump truck are being added.

The meeting opened with a brief discussion of Resolution 2026-1.28, introduced by Fiscal Officer Renea Riesen. The resolution would provide “personal time off compensation for on-call hourly employees assigned to road maintenance” for the pay period beginning Nov. 1 and ending March 31 and was presented as an emergency measure.

Mayor James Clark said the resolution did not include an effective date and said Village Solicitor Jack Felgenhauer had questions. Clark said it will be addressed at the next meeting.

Council also set committee assignments for 2026. Erin Thompson, Doug Whiteman and Kari Salisberry were assigned to Water and Sewer. Whiteman, Thompson and Jeanne Edwards were assigned to Streets. Salisberry, Whiteman and Edwards were assigned to Finance. Thompson, Jamie Sabol and Zoe Newbrough were assigned to Police. Newbrough, Sabol and Edwards were assigned to Park. Sabol, Whiteman and Newbrough were assigned to Land and Business. Edwards, Sabol and Thompson were assigned to Insurance. Salisberry, Edwards and Newbrough were assigned to Personnel.

Clark said he made a few adjustments from last year’s assignments to accommodate Whiteman as the newest council member.