Jan. 16—ORWELL — A new worker at the village wastewater and water department brings the staffing level back to full, under the direction of Superintendent John Sency.
He came to Orwell late in December and is working to improve the facilities on the tail end of a large project that is bringing the village back into compliance with Ohio Environmental Protection Agency standards.
He said the new employee at the wastewater department will allow the three to be cross-trained and reduce the potential need for outside contractors.
The village had been contracting with an outside company to insure compliance with EPA regulations. He said he hopes to continue training for the employees.
Sency is working on improving back-up pumps for the water treatment plant to make sure equipment is running properly, he said. He said the department was able to repurpose a pump and is looking to make sure replacements are available.
Orwell Village Manager Tami Pentek said cracks were found Tuesday in recently-paved Leffingwell Drive and Breezewood Lane.
“I immediately got on the phone with CT Consultants,” she said. “They are going to get back with us.”
Village council discussed the potential placement of four new fire hydrants. The first two are scheduled for placement west of Staley Road on Route 322, but two on Highland and Oak will be a bit more difficult.
She said the Route 322 fire hydrants will mean water distribution will be interrupted for eight hours, but that is not possible at the other two sites, because it would require shutting water off to Kennametal.
Pentek said the village may have to purchase a device that will allow the placement of the fire hydrant without shutting off water to the company. She said they cost between $13,000 and $15,000.
Sency said five wells are being abandoned, a process that generally takes two days to accomplish, including the caping of the well.
The village will likely receive legislation next week that will clear up zoning language, at the request of the Orwell Planning Commission.
Council members had preliminary discussions on whether to seek the renewal of a one mill fire levy or a replacement levy. Councilperson Roberta Cozad said she would like to see the village get the extra revenue of a replacement levy, but doesn’t want to risk having the issue fail.
Orwell Clerk-Treasurer Kim McKinley said a reduction in the street light levy might make increased fire revenue palatable.
Cozad said if that is the direction council goes, there must be a clear communication strategy.