Village council passed an emergency resolution July 15 to hire Environmental Design Group of Akron for the design of the wastewater treatment plant reconstruction and expansion.
The resolution outlines a fixed cost of $722,500 for design and permitting, and a time-and-material sum not to exceed $515,000 for construction administration and field oversight, pending final agreement in a form acceptable to the village solicitor.
Jeff Carr, director of water and wastewater engineering, and Michael Spade, P.E., associate project manager — both with Environmental Design Group — presented the proposed expansion plans. Carr said while construction is not expected to begin until Feb., 2027, certain components such as generators, control panels and screens should be ordered immediately.
“Will there be AI in this project?” Councilman Wes Hostetler asked.
Carr said he does not foresee any artificial intelligence components. “We will create a base map by September 2025, then move forward and submit the design to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency in May 2026. It will take about six months to receive a permit,” he said. “Old equipment will be replaced, new equipment added, the plant will be increased and more bays added.”
“We are doubling the size of the plant and increasing treatment capacity,” said Nathan Kanouff, water and sewer superintendent.
Spade urged residents not to flush wipes, which damage pumps and clog sewers. Only organic materials should be flushed.
In other business, council:
— Approved an increase in bulk water rates for out-of-town companies to $20 per 1,000 gallons. In-village rates remain unchanged.
— Authorized Law Director Terry Seeberger to draft a resolution to hire Patty Gerber and Donna Rieger as school crossing guards, effective Aug. 20.
— Heard the Joint Economic Development District awarded the Harwalk Road water and sewer project to Red Malcuit Construction Inc. for $273,425.
— Reminded residents of Bodmer Ave. from Fifth St. SW to the cemetery to return OMEGA low-income surveys to village hall. The returned surveys are essential to secure funding for the project.
— Announced that the GoGOV application is fully operational, with school employee training scheduled for Aug. 21.
— Scheduled the annual Franklin Park walkthrough for Aug. 4 from 2 to 5 p.m. with the park committee, Superintendent Vince Lindsey and Athletic Director Gary Spinell.
Other updates
The village received in-kind donations from ProVia for doors, windows, siding and stone as appropriate, and from Stark Truss and Javan and Shannon Yoder for trusses. All will be used for the community center.
The police department responded to 90 calls from July 1 to 15.
The fire department responded to 33 calls during the same period, bringing the year-to-date total to 396. Fire Chief Jason Ely reported the department received a contract through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The village will be reimbursed $10,000, and Franklin Township will cover the remaining cost to replace side-by-side utility equipment.
The fire department also received an EMS grant. Plans include replacing a video laryngoscope ($2,349), five blades at $16.09 each, and five disposable stylets at $10.19 each. Of the $2,480 total, $1,200 will be reimbursed through the grant. Township trustees agreed to fund a second video laryngoscope so each ambulance is equipped.
Upcoming meetings
The next Village Council meeting is scheduled for Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. at 240 N. Bodmer Ave. A safety committee meeting will precede it at 5 p.m. to discuss a proposed crosswalk at Williams Village and Sixth St. NW. A zoning board of appeals meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m.
