Wastewater treatment plant expansion discussed

Village engineer Don Dummermuth of George E. Fiedler and Associates of Dover gave Strasburg Village Council a report at the Jan. 24 meeting about the wastewater treatment plant and when construction may begin for an expansion.

He said the first step is to look at the infiltration of waste in the clay pipes, which will decrease the flow once any leakage is found. The infiltration is fluctuating 10-15% over, depending on a dry or wet day. The process is done with cameras to find a problem.

Dummermuth said the plant will be doubled to accommodate any additional businesses. The Joint Economic Development District has 75% of the funds, and the residents will pay 25% to complete the expansion. Dummermuth said equipment needs to be replaced, and after a 20-year cycle, it begins to break down, causing maintenance headaches and increased expenses.

The sewer was installed in the village in 1974-75. The plant accepts about 337,000 gallons of waste a day and 37,000 additional gallons of waste a day during the wet months. It will be three years before an addition would be in operation, and the cost is about $8 million for an expansion, once the process begins. The first step is to decrease the infiltration.

Nathan Kanouff, water and sewer employee, said infiltration was completed several years ago in different areas and was beneficial to the wastewater treatment plant.

Dummermuth said the plant has done a good job handling the waste. He said another ditch will be added at the plant, and the high school softball field will not be affected, even with the expansion. Council agreed to have Dummermuth send the report to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for review.

The first readings of ordinances and a resolution were held as follows:

—An ordinance amending repealing an ordinance passed in September 2023 declaring South Wooster Avenue between Second and Ninth streets to not be a business district and reset the speed limit from 25 mph to 35 mph.

—An ordinance enacting a temporary premium pay for certain employees covering for supervisory employees.

—An ordinance regulating nuisance feral animals, enacting a new section and amending sections.

—An ordinance amending the village zoning code regulating marijuana-related uses.

—A resolution authorizing the sale of certain municipally owned personal property including motor vehicles no longer needed or are obsolete or unfit for public use.

Council also did the following:

—Reminded residents if there is 2 or more inches of snow, a parking ban goes into effect and residents are asked to move their vehicles so employees can plow.

—Agreed to purchase a service truck for the street department at a cost of $83,768, equipped for plowing snow, through state purchasing if the truck is still available.

—Held a discussion with Marilyn Graef and Terry Edwards from the TNR about the spaying and neutering of feral cats. Graef said TNR will not provide services if they ban feeding feral cats or an obstacle is put in their way.

—Approved the purchase of a chain-link fence from Southway Fence at a cost of $1,100 for the park.

Other information

Mayor Bruce Metzger selected the 2024 committees as follows with chairman listed first:

—Safety: Martin Zehnder, Liz Dreher and Wes Hostetler.

—Park: Kathy Burrier, Dustin Briggs and Jeff Smith.

—Finance: Hostetler, Dreher and Burrier.

—Street and alley: Briggs, Zehnder and Hostetler.

—Cemetery: Zehnder.

The total calls for 2023 were 655 fire and emergency.

Council asked why local ministers were not permitted to pray before a meeting. Metzger received five or six phone calls saying they were uncomfortable with the prayer. A moment of silence will be held.

The next meeting will be held Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. at 224 N. Bodmer Ave. The park committee will meet Feb. 7 at 4:30 p.m. at Village Hall. The finance committee will meet Feb. 8 at 10 a.m.