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STEUBENVILLE — Jefferson County commissioners Wednesday received nine proposals from engineering consultants interested in preparing plans for installing sewers in the Pottery Addition area. Commissioners have been attempting to select engineering consultants for each project instead of relying upon a certain firm for a long period of time. A committee made up of Jack Gilmore, county sanitary engineer; a commissioner; Shannon Gosbin, assistant water and sewer department director; and county Engineer James Branagan will review the qualifications submitted by the engineering firms and make a selection. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is mandating the county install sewers because of faulty septic systems. Raw sewage is being dumped into the Ohio River. Gilmore said there are 131 houses, 14 businesses and a church in Pottery Addition. Rainwater also is being dumped into the system from sewers and home downspouts. Gilmore said the county will separate the stormwater and sewage and install 2,600 feet of sewer line to an existing lift station that will pump the sewage to be treated at Steubenville’s wastewater treatment plant. The commissioners on Wednesday agreed to apply to the Army Corps of Engineers for grant money for the Pottery Addition sewer project. Gilmore also announced easements for the Crestview-Belvedere sewer project are being obtained from residents at a pace that is too slow. The water and sewer department hosted a meeting Monday for residents to sign easements but Gilmore said only eight easements were obtained. The county has to sign about 300 easements before the project can begin. The county has obtained $4.4 million in grants and $5 million in loans for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the project. Commissioners announced last week the sewer assessment will be $6,500 for each house or business in the Crestview-Belvedere area. Gilmore said he is concerned the USDA may inform the county the final documents are ready to be signed and the county won’t be able to proceed with the project. Commissioners also: ¯ Heard from Salem Township Trustee Terry Bell about a proposed change in the weight limits for vehicles that he believes will harm roads. Bell said there is a pending state law that will increase the weight limit to 92,000 pounds for trucks with six axles. Bell wants a new state law to require trucking companies to pay for damages to township roads. Commissioners agreed to approve a resolution supporting Bell’s efforts. ¯ Approved the reappointment of Bob Bertram of 251 Sarah Blvd., Toronto, to the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities. The commissioners also approved the appointment of Dick Allen of county Road 42, Toronto, to the board. Bertram and Allen will serve four-year terms. (Law can be contacted at mlaw@heraldstaronline.com.)

 

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