SALEM — City council earlier this week authorized the extension of a water line to supply the Haltec Corporation with city water at the company’s expense.

The North Price Road firm, which is a leader in the tire valve industry according to its website, sought out the water line extension for potable water and fire suppression, citing plans to expand.

City Utilities Superintendent Don Weingart said the project will extend 4,500 feet of water main with oversight by the utilities department, which will own the line when it’s complete and maintain it. The move required council approval because only council has the authority to extend water outside of the city limits. As part of the deal, the company agrees to annex into the city if the company property ever becomes contiguous to the corporation limit.

Weingart pointed out that a number of Haltec employees live in Salem and the Utilities Commission sanctioned the extension.

In other business related to utilities, council authorized borrowing a $1.1 million note for five years at a rate of 2.5 percent to rework the previous loan of $1.3 million to pay for last year’s water line replacement projects, including the one on North Ellsworth Avenue. The water department borrowed the funds from the wastewater fund and paid the loan down by $200,000 so far.

Council also authorized Weingart to seek out and accept a $20,000 zero percent interest loan if approved by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to develop a state-mandated asset management plan for the city water system. The OEPA is offering possible forgiveness for half the loan as part of the deal. The department must look at all water assets, including line, valves, tanks, the water treatment plant, property and even personnel. The report also must show back-up considerations.

Council also authorized a note of $3 million for one year at 2.5 percent interest for the summer street projects, which is being paid for with the .25 percent additional income tax strictly for street, alley, sidewalk, storm sewer and gutter improvements. The city had originally borrowed $3.6 million but paid down $600,000.

mgreier@salemnews.a