GALION, Ohio — Seven Galion residents may be waiting a little longer to learn if they can receive water services.
Galion City Council members, at the urging of Mayor Tom O’Leary, will extend the discussion concerning residents who petitioned to detach from the city. The issue has sparked controversy, not the least of which was the resignation of Councilman Steve Rowan. City council members acknowledged that the residents deserve to have the issue decided soon.
Last Wednesday, Rowan abruptly left a Utilities Committee meeting after announcing his immediate resignation. The committee was discussing the detachment of 177 acres near the U.S. 30 and State Route 61 interchange, northeast of Galion.
Michael Richart said the problem stretches back to 2003 when the land was annexed by the City of Galion with the hopes of further development. Residents were promised city water service at that time. However, in 2005 Galion entered into “fiscal emergency” and plans were halted. Council officials admitted that someone “dropped the ball” on the project.
The plan was reviewed between 201, said Richart, but material costs for the project had increased in the intervening years. He said that loan requirements might add even more cost to the project. The affected residents “would like to see the water line but understand that cost is a factor,” said Richart.
Richart said that he doesn’t want to hold up the residents any further, after more than 10 years of waiting. He noted a petition received last October by the affected residents wanting to transfer to Jackson Township.
He proposed suspending the normal rules and approving the detachment of that part of Galion. Dr. Thomas Fellner agreed saying this was the “fairest and fastest way to allow the residents to proceed.”
Mayor O’Leary said he wanted to postpone the decision. He stated that a line under U.S. 30 already exists that was built by the Village of Crestline but has no water flowing through it. He outlined three options to still provide residents with water.
“Galion could lease the water line from Crestline,” O’Leary said. “Or we could purchase the line and use it to supply water.”
A third option proposed by the mayor was to “let Crestline sell their water to Galion without requiring the residents to detach.” The subdivision is south of Crestline but Richart said their village has been reluctant to supply water to other municipalities, creating a road block in negotiations.
Instead of considering it emergency legislation, council members held the first of three readings, extending the debate. “Two weeks won’t make much of a difference,” O’Leary said.
In the meantime, residents of the Second Ward who wish to fill Rowan’s seat have until noon on March 20, said Council President Carl Watt. Interviews are scheduled for March 24 and an appointment is expected to be announced at that evening’s city council meeting.
