Leetonia library architect seeks water work
By KEVIN HOWELLLEETONIA- An architect for the new public library requested that the village join a project to increase water pressure for the north side residents at village council's regular meeting Wednesday night.
Architect Lara Dolan informed council that the current 4-inch water line that will supply water to the future building provides insufficient water pressure to meet the fire suppression system requirements put forth by the state.
By installing a new 8-inch water line that ties into the 12-inch water line at Washington Street, the village can boost the water pressure to not only the library, but the residents in the area as well, according to Village Administrator Gary Phillips. The village will also be laying a foundation for possible replacement of the 4-inch lines along Walnut and Chestnut streets, he said, although the tie-in will create a significant change in pressure for residents on those streets.
According to Phillips, the new line would start at the Washington and Oak streets intersection and continue south to Wood Street, east to Walnut Street and south to tie in at Summit Street. It would also tie in at Elm Street.
Roughly estimating the project, Phillips said installing a line from Washington Street to the library site will be approximately $143,082, with an additional $34,610 to extend it to Summit Street.
To help assuage the financial burden of installing the line, Dolan said her company could offer financing that would ultimately save the village more money than if it applied for a grant, although the waiting period for the money would be longer.
Concerned with the short notice in which council received the request, Councilman Steve Clunen said he did not see how the village could assume such a large project right now.
"Right now we are not in any position to do anything like this out of our pocket," he said. "This is something we would plan further down the road. We have too many pressing needs that need addressed now and we have to consider what is best for the taxpayers."
If the village does not want to combine on the project, the library will have to install a water pump and tank that will only benefit the library, something Dolan said she does not want to see.
"This is a neat little town and we'd like to help out the community as much as possible," she said.
According to Dolan, the architects need to know what the village wants to do by the end of September so that they can plan the water system inside the building.
Mayor Artie Altomare requested that Dolan present a formal plan at the next council meeting.
In other business, council:
requested Village Solicitor Walter Newton to update the village ordinance for grave prices, allowing for a section of the Oakdale Cemetery to be reserved for infants and cremains;
approved a contract for the inspection, videotaping and cleaning of the inside of the water tower and reservoir for $4,535, a project that Phillips said will maximize the quality of water received from Salem;
Increased the court costs for moving violations from $57 to $67, in accordance with state legislature.
The Leetonia American Legion Post 131 donated $1,690 to the Shade Tree Commission for the removal of trees and stumps.
A Water and Sewer meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 3 in council chambers.
The next council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 3 in council chambers.
Kevin Howell can be reached at khowell@salemnews.net
