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NEW WATERFORD -- Residents in the village of New Waterford will see a $2.75 increase on their water and sewer bills, starting in 2024, as council passed the third reading of an ordinance that will increase water rates over the next three years, to lessen the blow of one large rate hike.
Mayor Shane Patrone said the increase is necessary as the village faces the same inflation that plagues households and called it a proactive approach to ensure the village continues to thrive.
"We are trying to be as prepared as possible. The problem is if you are not proactive, you will have problems on the horizons," Patrone said. "If we can't grow somewhat in the size of this town, just like your house, if you don't bring other income in, eventually your expenses get to the point where you can't afford them. The waterline to Crestview was a start, a sewer line to Crestview would be a start, bringing new businesses into the village, which we couldn't do until we got the water and sewer lines fixed, is a start. Now we are already looking to sell an acre and quarter to bring a new business in and we haven't even finished the last sewer project, so we are being as proactive as we can."
The acre of land that Patron referenced was also part of legislation passed by council on Tuesday. The village had 1.239 acres of land next to the sewer plant on state Route 46 surveyed and approved a resolution to enter into an agreement with the Columbiana County Land Reutilization Corporation to sell that parcel. Council also approved a resolution designating the land bank as an agent for economic development in order to sell the vacant lot under a contracted agreement that it be used commercially only.
Patrone noted that other municipalities within the county -- Salem, Wellsville and East Liverpool -- have utilized the land bank for similar purposes, and said it is an alternative to accepting sealed bids for village-owned property.
In other matters, Village Administrator Jason Gorby announced that just 380 feet remain in the sewer line project which was put into motion in October of 2021 when the village was awarded a portion from the Ohio BUILDS Water Infrastructure Program money being distributed. The village received $2.5 million to replace sewer lines. That funded the first phase of the project. The second phase was funded through a $452,575 in a low-interest loan through the Ohio Water Development Authority to put toward the second phase. The village was just one of nine municipalities in the state to be selected for the funding, and the only one in Columbiana County.
The project consisted of replacing sewer lines on East Main Street, Creek Road, Spruce Street, Allendale Avenue, Pinewood Drive, Front Street and portions of state Route 46 and Boardman Street and 40,500 feet of sanitary sewer along Colony, Patriot, Waynewood, Pinewood, Dogwood, Sycamore, Court, Maple, Silliman, Elk, Oak, Boardman, Church, Taylor, West Main and Crestview streets, as well as upgrading the main trunk line from the wastewater treatment plant to Creek Road. It also extended sewer service to 11 homes along Front Street and benefited nearly 1,000 village residents.
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