Sinking Spring Faces Findings & Orders from EPA

Sinking Spring Faces Findings & Orders from EPA The Ohio EPA will be working on Findings & Orders, which is formal administrative action against the Village of Sinking Spring for later this summer, according to Joshua Jackson at our Wednesday morning meeting. I feel for the Village, because as a Mayor I went through a similar situation, and the EPA had formalized legal action against my Village. Luckily, formal action was averted with quick action to reduce flows. I hope a reasonable, cost effective solution can be found that will please the EPA and Village of Sinking Spring. I was very taken back by the high cost of the project when there are very few residents that will be on the system. It is important for the Village to have grant funding for the project, however I almost think it an impossibility that more than 60% would be funded by grants. It is important the Village puts together an action plan that specifically spells out possible funding sources and that they couple it with an aggressive timeline. From what has been presented by the Village in the recent past, the funding sources are somewhat unclear and changing. In order for Sinking Spring to know that the route they are taking is the best, they need to be sure to quickly explore other options. This may help the community better understand what the Village is facing with eminent EPA enforcement on the horizon. As a Commissioner, Highland County cannot afford to take on debt for a Sinking Spring Wastewater Project, and cannot afford to have any liability for the project. The Village is a Constitutional entity, and has home rule. It is important the Village and its residents pave the way for future of the Community. It is important that they make the decision that will ultimately affect them the most. The County will most likely support the community as long as there is a clear path of action, and again no debt liability to the County.  Everyone can agree that exposed raw sewerage in the ditches, and streams is unhealthy and plain bad. It is important to find a reasonable solution that will have a positive outcome. It is important that Sinking Spring takes charge of its destiny and works together to take advantage of this problem, turning it into an opportunity to thrive and prosper. Jeremy Shaffer Highland County Commissioner Ollowing Story From the Highland County Press 6/6/2013 3:08:00 AM County, village revisit Sinking Spring wastewater treatment project

Joshua Jackson (with map of Sinking Spring) of the Ohio EPA and Lee Conkel (right) of L-Con Engineers, LLC, discuss funding for the proposed Sinking Spring Wastewater Treatment Project with county commissioners Wednesday, June 5. (HCP photo by Rory Ryan.) Rory Ryan Publisher/Editor For the second time in four months, the Highland County Board of Commissioners met with representatives from the village of Sinking Spring regarding the proposed Sinking Spring Wastewater Treatment Plant. Meeting with commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer at the Wednesday, June 5 meeting included Sinking Spring Mayor Clarence Zile, Lee Conkel of L-Con Engineers, LLC, and Joshua Jackson of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The village is seeking commissioners' support for grant funding of a $1.375 million wastewater treatment plant. Earlier this year at the March 13 board meeting, commissioners were asked to support the project by endorsing a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for this year. Prior to meeting with Sinking Spring representatives Wednesday morning, commissioners recommended the following projects for the latest round of CDBG funding: • Greenfield street improvements on Lafayette Street and McArthur Way for a total of $32,200. • Hillsboro street improvements – Phase II for South High Street at $30,000. • Lynchburg Area Joint Fire and Ambulance District Fire Protection Facilities and Equipment – five sets of bunker gear and five SCBAs (self-contained breathing apparatus) for $32,200 in CDBG funding. The backup projects are a Burgess Road repair in Jackson Township and a Main Street sidewalk project in Leesburg. "We had a meeting (a few) months ago asking for support," Conkel said Wednesday, "and we want to see if we are still on board with CDBG." "Our assessment is that there's still a substantial amount of funds lacking (for the project)," Wilkin said. "If we apply for (funding), we're on the hook for it." Wilkin said he has discussed the issue with Timothy Leasure of the Ohio Department of Development/CDBG Water and Sewer Program. "As far as 'being on the hook for it,' I don't know," Conkel said. "That was my specific question and that was his (Leasure's) answer," Wilkin said. According to Jackson, "There's always been some knowledge in our office (OEPA) that there are sewage issues in Sinking Spring. We're trying to give the community the opportunity to go out and get funding before we may proceed with administrative orders and findings." Jackson said previous water sampling has indicated violations that are above the limits to qualify as a health nuisance. Commissioners asked the village if they had attempted to get the property owners determined to be in violation to upgrade their respective sewerage systems. Jackson replied: "With the time it would take and the acrimony it would create by going to each homeowner, I can see why they'd go with a wastewater treatment plant." Mayor Clarence Zile added: "If we make residents change their (current) systems and they (the EPA) still finds E. coli, they may sue the village." "There always will be some discharge with private systems," Jackson said. Shaffer said his estimate for the project was approximately $35,000 per household in the village of approximately 50 homes. "It's a very expensive project for the number of people," Horst said. "I don't see the cost benefit," Shaffer said. "I'm pro-sewer. I just don't know how you can pay for it."   "Our biggest concern is that we are trying to avoid getting into the sewer business anymore than we have to," Wilkin explained. "If we sign off on this, it could become our system or our expense." Horst asked the village about other options. "Council voted that if we did it for one resident, we do it for all," Conkel said. "How are you planning to pay for it?" Shaffer asked. "Through monthly fees and with 98 percent in grants," Conkel answered, saying that the monthly fees would be approximately $40 to $45, in addition to the current $30 monthly water fees from Pike County Water. Without current funding, Jackson said the EPA would step up from its notice of violations to the village and proceed to issue findings and orders in hopes that would move the project up for future funding considerations. "The question I will be asked is which commissioner is in favor of it and which of you are against it," Mayor Zile said. "Sounds like all of you are against it." "No, we're not against it," Horst said. "We just can't take on anymore debt." At their March meeting, commissioners were clear that the county was not interested in "any extra work as far as the maintenance and operation." Conkel replied at that meeting the county would not be operating or maintaining the system, and that Sinking Spring just needed assistance for the grant. "The money would go to the village CDBG water and sewer grant," Conkel said. "We either get the grant money, or it won't happen." "We have the land bought and paid for," Zile said. "(New) businesses have temporary approval for the systems they're using." The village indicated it would pursue the grant opportunities in conjunction with L-Con Engineers, LLC. Commissioners said this week that after the administrative orders are issued by the EPA, perhaps the project will qualify in the future round of CDBG funding.