EAST PALESTINE — East Palestine Council killed two birds with one stone — providing a service to the public and generating a revenue source for the water department — by offering bulk water for sale to individuals and companies.

Council introduced an ordinance with a first reading that allows bulk water purchases through the village at $25 per1,000 gallons during regular business hours (7 a.m. to 3 p.m.) at the water plant. All sales will “be metered to provide an accurate account of bulk water sold.” A $25 connection fee will be charged to compensate for “pulling someone from a field” to hook up the truck, wait for the truck to fill up, disconnect, read the meter and send the driver to the office for payment. Larger trucks (6,000 gallons) must give a 24-hour notice.

“We have received requests multiple times through the water department and myself to provide bulk water to citizens or to companies that are looking to fill swimming pools or maybe their well has failed and they need emergency water relief,” East Palestine Village Manager Antonio Diaz-Guy said. “Historically, I think we have done that in a sort of ala carte way. I think we can actually create a competitive bulk water program. Our marginal cost of water right now is less than a hundredth of a penny so I think we can create a revenue stream for the water department that also helps us properly solve people’s water insecurities as well as help us pay for upgrades to the system.”

Diaz-Guy said the idea to sell potable water with a rate structure came after a Unity Township resident with well issues sought bulk water from the village.

“This came up specifically because a resident very close to town had their well fail,” Diaz-Guy said. “Because of the timeline of getting a new well installed due to the depth requirement, they would have been without water for some time so we did a contractual arrangement to sell them bulk water. This allowed us to formalize that and offer that to the community.”

In other matters, Village Law Director Dave Powers said the recent dismissal of an appeal filed by five residents against last year’s $600 settlement between Norfolk Southern and impacted residents should mean that direct payments of up to $70,000 per household for property damages in the wake of the derailment will be distributed soon.

“The appeal of the class action settlement has been resolved by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. The matter was dismissed and I would anticipate Epiq will start processing the households sometime in the near future,” Powers said. “There is the possibility that they will seek a Supreme Court review of the appeal, but that’s a long shot so I would anticipate those payments will start rolling relatively soon.”

Council also heard an update regarding renovations of two properties managed by the East Palestine Community Improvement Corporation (EPCIC).

Both the historic train depot and the former PNC lot and building (across from the municipal building on North Market) are being remodeled for specific potential commercial tenants in mind.

The depot, which was donated to the village by Norfolk Southern along with a $100,000 donation to help renovate the interior, is being updated and modernized with a loan from the village to the EPCIC. The building will be renovated based on the potential tenant who submitted a proposal to the EPCIC to occupy the space. That tenant has been kept under wraps.

“Design work continues at the Train Depot with a walkthrough with the potential tenant set Dec. 1 to finalize the design. We have been working on a non-binding letter of intent with the prospective tenant,” Finance and economic development chair Barb Herriot told council. “We need to ensure final design elements and equipment to incorporate into a formal leasing structure. Once everyone is in agreement, we can put the project out for bids. The village and the EPCIC eagerly await being able to announce the design for the depot and the tenant. It would be premature to do so until we have a formal agreement.”

Herriot said it would also be premature to disclose the tenant of the commercial building that will be built at the PNC lot by funds raised through the Brighten Our Future initiative that launched last year. So far, $45,000 has been raised through the campaign this year. Last year, $161,500 was raised to purchase the lot.

“The design concept for the village plaza and retail has been finalized. We hope to have a cost estimate in 30 days,” Herriot said. ” The EPCIC and the village want to share plans and announce the tenant but don’t want to do it until we have construction costs and lease terms finalized.”

Herriot also reported that the former Jaspar property has been transferred to the EPCIC by Norfolk Southern.

“EPCIC is working closely with the village manager for reuse of the 15 acre property which is a combination of modern buildings and older buildings,” she said. “There is a potential to sell or lease the site in whole or in parcels to multiple users.”

The village acquired the property in its $22 million dollar settlement with Norfolk Southern after plans to build a first responder training center there were nixed.

Also at the meeting:

– Diaz-Guy said the village intends to use data compiled by its Safer Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) consultants to apply for the Ohio Department of Transportation Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant. He said ” the TAP program is going to focus primarily on filling sidewalk gaps or repairing sidewalks that are in bad shape using Safer Street for All recommendations as a basis for TAP funding.” Through the SS4A program, the village received a $211,488 grant with the goal of making local streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers by addressing issues like unsafe crossings, poor lighting, and creating safe routes to school.

— Diaz-Guy reported the village will roll out Office 365 in January, eliminating the current computer-by-computer program and implementing a more “corporate-style account” through Microsoft to consolidate emails and offer more options for data files storage and retention.

— Council heard that the fishing agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources was “signed and executed” and that signs are required as part of the agreement to inform the public of what water can be fished, what the Ohio state fishing regulations are regarding things like daily bag or creel limits certain fish like trout and how ODNR or the village can be contacted regarding bodies of water. The village will stock the ponds in spring of 2026. The signs will have either a QR code or link.

— Safety Chair Thomas Povenski, Jr. reported that Todd Rutledge was hired as a part-time dispatcher.

– Council heard that in October, East Palestine Fire/EMS received 142 calls (90 in the village, 11 in Unity Township and 42 mutual aid) with 12 fire only, 123 EMS only and seven combined.

— Sew Be It Embroidery was welcomed to the village. The screen printing and embroidery business recently opened at 39 North Market.

— Council learned that renovations were completed at the disc course at the park and four holes removed and repairs to the GlenView mausoleum are ongoing.

— Utilities Chair Tim Blythe reported that the wastewater department submitted the DMR-QA report to the Ohio EPA. DMR-QA is a proficiency testing program for wastewater laboratories in Ohio that “tests lab equipment” by which the EPA sends samples and the wastewater department tests them and sends them back to insure equipment is correctly calibrated.