PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
PROTECTION PLAN … Water treatment supervisor Thane Apt (above) gave a presentation on the source water assessment and drinking water source protection plan during the Montpelier Village Council meeting held at the Montpelier Water Treatment Plant on Monday, February 9.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
Montpelier Village Council heard a presentation from water treatment plant supervisor Thane Apt regarding the water assessment and drinking water source protection plan at its meeting on Monday, February 9.
Apt said the village started the process for the plan in 2009, but it was not finalized at that time.
One of the benefits, according to Apt, is that it will help the village provide the safest and highest quality drinking water to its customers at the lowest possible cost.
It also establishes strategies to minimize the potential threats to the village’s source of drinking water. Another factor is to help plan for expansion, development, zoning, and emergency response issues.
The plan will also provide opportunities for funding to improve infrastructure, purchase land in the protection area, and make other improvements to the well field.
“Basically, it’s having a plan in case something happens like a spill or something,” said Apt.
One of the requirements of the protection plan is the creation of a data protection team, which includes himself, water treatment operator Dan Ankney, village manager Jason Rockey, village deputy manager Justin Houk, Police Chief Dan McGee, and Fire Chief Brian Fritsch.
A motion by council member Don Schlosser was made to approve the source water assessment and drinking water source protection plan, with Heather Freese seconding. The motion was approved by a 5-0 vote.
Apt then gave a brief review of the water department last year. He reported there were 126.6 million gallons of water pumped out of the system, with an average water loss of 14 percent, which is a little higher than normal.
With the severe storm that went through Montpelier last spring, Apt commented there were some issues with the booster station when the power supply burned up and had to be replaced.
He also told council that the clear well was inspected, though there are some minor issues to monitor.
A motion authorizing Rockey to submit an application for financial assistance with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the Safe Routes to School program was approved.
Rockey told council the engineer’s preliminary estimated cost for the project is $825,000. He added the deadline to apply for funding for the program is March 6.
He added that the village has all the information they need for the application. He also has been in contact with OHM Advisors, who are preparing the application for the village. The only thing he is waiting for is a letter of support from Maumee Valley Planning.
Fiscal officer Nikki Uribes gave the January income tax collection report, which totaled $102,546.89, down from the previous three-year average of $206,712.24 for the same month.
Council approved a couple of dates for the Spring Soiree (May 9) and the Harvest of Sweets Walk (October 17).
Rockey, along with Justin Houk and Uribes, had a training session with the new SSI employee portal, which should be in operation by the end of the week.
The new portal allows employees to submit time-off requests and access documents such as the employee handbook, paystubs, and W-2 forms. Council members will also be part of the portal.
He also spoke to a representative from Ohio House Representative Jim Hoops’ office and was informed that capital fund applications are due by March 12.
Prior to the meeting, council members toured the water treatment plant.