By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
A major upgrade and repair project at Swanton’s Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) is back in motion after a temporary delay due to its high price tag.
WRRF Superintendent Mikael Stiles reported to the Swanton Village Council on Monday that they had been approved for a $3 million grant through the Ohio Broadband, Utilities, and Infrastructure for Local Development Success (BUILDS) program.
The grant will help defray the more than $9 million cost of the project and bring it back to a fiscal possibility for the village.
According to representatives from engineering firm Fishbeck, that includes $6.1 million of bare construction costs plus insurance, bonding, overhead, and other fees that push it to $9 million. There will also be an additional $685,000 fee due to Fishbeck for its services.
For that sizable price tag, the facility will have some old, decommissioned, and failing equipment and structures removed and a new headworks building, 1/4″ screen, and grit removal system installed.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has already approved the new designs. The goal is to get the project out to bid in October with groundbreaking in spring of next year.
NEW POLICE OFFICERS HIRED
The council authorized the hiring of a pair of full-time patrolmen to the Swanton Police Department. The hires will bring full-time staffing to eight, just one short of full staffing. Police Chief John Trejo said he plans to hold off for now on hiring for the final position.
Of the two officers hired, one is currently a full-time patrolman with the Wauseon Police Department and the other is currently an officer with Mercy Health St. Vincent’s Medical Center and part-time patrolmen with the Carey Police Department.
SEWER SEPARATION PROJECT
The council planned to vote to award bids on the three remaining major storm/sanitary sewer separation projects, but an absent councilor and the unplanned early departure by another left them without the necessary number present to approve an emergency for the measure.
Instead, they voted to pass it on a first reading, leaving an emergency approval and final vote for their next meeting.
Ordinances require passage on three readings unless the council approves an emergency to allow for single-vote passage.
HALLOWEEN TRICK-OR-TREATING
The council voted to set Halloween trick-or-treating hours for 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mayor Neil Toeppe told the council that an initial analysis of Swanton’s water, sewer, and stormwater fee rates with those of Delta showed that Swanton residents generally pay less for those services.
Toeppe reported he has received and reviewed 14 applications for a new fire chief, and has created a search committee including himself, Councilor Derek Kania, Village Administrator Shannon Shulters, and Delta Fire Chief Jeremy Gillen.
Village Administrator Shannon Shulters reported a company is interested in locating in Swanton and would bring 75 jobs up front with 10-15 more potential positions over time.
She was unable to share any further details due to ongoing conversations.
Jesse can be reached at jesse@thevillagereporter.com
