LISBON — Failing septic systems and hardship variances for sewage systems were the main topics of conversation during a recent Columbiana County Health District board meeting, starting with complaints from Rogers residents with raw sewage in their yard from a neighboring property.

The issue is in the area of Pancake Clarkson and Union Ridge Road where there’s reportedly been a problem since 2005.

“Do we have to report this every year until this gets fixed?” a man said.

He was one of three people who came to the health board meeting about the raw sewage issue from this particular failing septic system, with a woman questioning what happens if somebody come into contact with the raw sewage.

Environmental Director Laura Fauss explained that the property has changed hands three times and each time, the whole process starts over again. In 2005, she said the case went to the prosecutor’s office, but she couldn’t find anything that showed what was done.

The current property owner was given 60 days to fix the situation and was trying to get grant funding. If nothing’s done in the 60 days, the next step will be a hearing with county Health Commissioner Dr. Wes Vins, then the issuance of board orders to repair or replace the septic system within 30 days, then the final step would be sending the case to the prosecutor for prosecution in county Municipal Court.

The health district receives funding through the Environmental Protection Agency for Water Pollution Control Loan Funds to replace septic systems, but the funds can only be provided to owner-occupied structures. Funding is coming in July, but Vins indicated most of those funds are already spoken for due to other applications already approved. He did say there could be residual dollars they could try to get.

“We’ll keep working on it,” he said, noting that the property owner has to apply for the funds.

The people left the meeting after having their say.

“We need to get this fixed. I don’t care if someone else is ahead of her. That’s unacceptable,” board member Linda Garwood said.

Board Vice Chairman Dr. Kimberly Jackson added it’s health hazard.

It was pointed out that the projects being funded in July are for applications from 2022.

In other matters related to septic systems, the board issued board orders against Thomas Martin, Boring Lane, East Liverpool, which is in Liverpool Township, requiring him to install a replacement septic system. He had apparently backed out of the grant program.

Hardship variances were granted so that two households could be served by one septic system. The variances were granted for Denise Fonner Cline, Carlisle Road, Lisbon, and Lisa Armbruster, West School Street, East Rochester. A variance was also granted for Edward Neiheisel, of Canfield, for  Peace Valley Road, Rogers property for going off lot for a replacement septic system.

The board also issued board orders against Kimberly Hampton, Bellville, Ill. for an address on Fifth Avenue, East Liverpool, ordering the cleanup of garbage and removal of stagnant water.

Fauss also reported that the sewage services provided by the Environmental department will be surveyed in July by the Ohio Department of Health, looking at how the department operates.

Fauss also reminded residents that it’s mosquito time and they need to take precautions to protect themselves, such as replacing screens on windows, eliminating stagnant water and using insect repellant when going outdoors. Diseases that mosquitoes can carry in Ohio include West Nile Virus, La Crosse virus and St. Louis encephalitis virus. To learn more, visit the county health district website at www.columbiana-health.org.

Health Services Administrator Amanda Amato reported there were still no cases of measles in Columbiana County, with vaccine still available. Call 330-424-0272 for an appointment. She also noted there was an upcoming PSA clinic related to prostate cancer on June 10.

During a rabies clinic held in the spring, 176 animals were inoculated, with 117 dogs and 59 cats, which is a big increase from the year before when there were just 57 animals total. She also said the addition of a second public health nurse increased the hours put into the Complex Medical Help program from 272 hours last year to 484 hours so far this year.

The board also renewed the following contracts: Tiffany Breast Care for mammography at a cost of $120 per mammogram, which is the same as last year’s contract; Noble County epidemiology for services Columbiana County provides to Noble, Belmont, Jefferson and Harrison counties, with the total paid to Columbiana County $42,000; Portsmouth and Scioto counties for epidemiology services provided by Columbiana County, with the total paid to Columbiana County $22,500; and Mahoning County Certified Plumber Inspection services reciprocal agreement, with any service provided either way billed at a $50 hourly rate including mileage. This agreement is for coverage by the other county when a plumbing inspector is unavailable in the county, and vice versa.

The board also approved a refund policy and updated language in the personnel policy manual.

The next meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m. June 11 at the health district building, 7360 state Route 45, Lisbon.