Creston Board of Public Affairs addresses village needs [Daily Record, The (Wooster, OH)]

By AMANDA ROLIK

Staff Writer

CRESTON -- A resident came to the village's Board of Public Affairs with concerns over a sewage issue that is affecting three houses on Burbank Street.

According to Mayor William Armentrout, three houses recently experienced sewage backup in their basements.

Gerald Higgins, a Burbank Street resident affected by the issue, attended Tuesday's BPA meeting to report he has not been notified about what has been found, or what the solution is.

"I feel that was very poor management on water and sewer's part," said Higgins.

Village officials have contacted two companies dealing with sewer and plumbing issues to address the problem. According to BPA President Jeff Hostetler, the problem is still being worked on, and it has been determined the main cause of the problem is the build- up of grease in the sewer lines.

Water and sewer Superintendent Marcus Allen said a note was left for Higgins.

After a brief discussion about the miscommunication, Higgins said he wishes to be reimbursed for the problems the sewage backup has caused and a guarantee it wouldn't happen again.

BPA members suggested he try to go through the village's insurance to see if his expenses would be covered. Hostetler said he couldn't guarantee anything, and Allen added that grease buildup is something the water and sewer department has little control over.

"I don't think, if it's grease, the village will be liable for that," said Armentrout.

In other business, the BPA passed a motion to suggest council contract with the Poggemeyer Design Group engineering firm for a wastewater treatment plant proposal, at a cost $173,500. The firm would work with the village on the project through the bidding process.

If council approves contracting with the engineering firm, it will then need to amend appropriations to take money from the sewer fund and set up a wastewater treatment plant project fund. The cost of the project will be $3.2 million.

The BPA also passed a motion to replace concrete slabs for the sand bed at the sewer plant at a cost of $2,475.

Reporter Amanda Rolik can be reached at 330-287-1635 or [email protected].