ONTARIO, Ohio — Ontario City Council is holding a sewer ordinance for a third reading, after hearing the second reading during their regular meeting Thursday evening.
The ordinance would allow the City of Ontario to enter into a 30-year sewer contract with the City of Mansfield. Contract negotiations have been ongoing for the past several months. The contract had not been updated since 2006.
Ontario uses Mansfield’s sewage treatment plant for the disposal of waste. In order for Ontario to continue using the plant, the cities must agree upon the terms.
Though Mansfield City Council approved the contract at their meeting June 2, it will not be finalized until Ontario council approves it. Ontario council will vote on the issue at their meeting on July 2.
If approved, new sewer rates will go into effect immediately, retroactive to July 1, 2014. The rate increase, amounting to 30 percent, is a surcharge being charged by the City of Mansfield, since the City of Ontario is its customer. The increase pertains strictly to the sewer portion of the bill.
An example of how the sewer rate change would affect a household’s current rate set at $19.12 showed that the new quarterly rate would be $24.86, making the annual increase amount to $22.96.
The contract includes an opt-out option after the first five years, with a one year notice. This is significant if Ontario decides to build its own treatment plant in the future.
In 2014, the city had a feasibility study done on building its own treatment plant and found that it would be too costly. The cost would be at least $30 million to build and approximately $1 million to operate. This would have at least doubled what a citizen pays for each quarter on his or her entire bill, not just the sewer portion.
One of the issues Ontario’s sewer system has faced deals with inflow and infiltration (I&I). Service-Safety Director Jeff Wilson noted, “We have projects that have been going on for a number of years, including this year, that address the I&I problem that we have….We’re doing relining projects, we’re going to run cameras in the lines and see where the infiltration is coming from and then repair those areas,” he said.
First Ward Councilwoman and Utilities Committee Chairwoman Pam Drake said that the city has addressed a number of issues with regard to its system, noting, “I think our system is going to be one of the most pristine systems around.”
Honoring citizens
Also during the meeting, Mayor Randy Hutchinson made a special presentation in recognition of the citizens who helped get Ontario incorporated as a village in 1958. He displayed to council a plaque, which will be hung in the municipal building’s lobby.
“This plaque honors the citizens that worked together to get the village incorporated, along with our first elected officials. The village of Ontario became official June 17, 1958,” Hutchinson said.
The incorporation committee consisted of Roy Mitchell, Rolla Elliot, Lewis Rinehart, John Mabee, Harold Marshall, Cleo Taylor, William Naylor, Charles Orewiler, Earl Albin, Richard Clever, Robert LaFevere, Harry Zeigler, Dan Haber, W.W. Heller and Attorney Leo Scanlon. The township trustees during that time included V.H. Walker, Charles Orewiler, Norman Kaufmann and Clerk Dave Schraedly. The first elected officials were Mayor Frank Stumbo, Treasurer Ed Burger, Clerk Harry Zeigler, and Council members Orval Bemiller, Don Dunlap, Don Boyce, Rolla Elliot, Roy Mitchell and O.P. Heller.
“A lot of the names around town are named after these people,” noted Hutchinson.
Athletic Boosters
Wilson also addressed council. In his report, he said, “The Ontario Athletic Boosters has agreed to match the city’s portion to resurface all six tennis courts at Marshall Park. Richland Sealcoating will be donating some of the material cost, as well as all of the labor in order to make this project happen for the community.”
Maize Memorial Dog Park
In reference to the Maize Memorial Dog Park, he said, “Plans are being made now to install the fence by the end of July. The total material cost is estimated at $15,000. To date, the organization has raised $9,000, so they’re well over halfway.
“Entrance to the dog park was completed last week by our city crews, and waterlines will be provided by the city in conjunction with the installation of the fence.”
Maize Memorial Dog Park is holding a dog walk, he said, on Saturday, June 27 at Marshall Park. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and opening ceremonies will commence at 10 a.m. The proceeds of the event will go toward erecting the fence at the dog park.
