MANSFIELD — A collapsed 19th century storm sewer could cost the City of Mansfield up to $750,000.
City Council is expected to vote on legislation Tuesday to award a contract to B.K. Layer, LLC, of Perrysville for the emergency installation of a new system from West Third Street to Touby’s Run.
The old sandstone culvert, likely installed in the 1870s, collapsed earlier this summer and is beyond repair, according to city engineer Bob Bianchi. The collapse was noticed when city workers were trying to repair a broken water main in the area.
City work crews repaired the break, but the stone material they put in around the line was washed away before the project was completed, according to Bianchi, who said it was a clear indication storm water was flowing where it should not be.
The engineer and his team found a schematic pencil drawing, likely from the 1870s, showing a storm sewer that begins around the Greek Orthodox Church on West Third Street and meanders its way west all the way to Touby’s Run.
After days of searching, the collapsed line was found, buried about 24 feet deep. Bianchi said the old storm sewer wasn’t salvageable, leading to the need for a new, re-routed line capable of providing adequate flow capacity to drain the watershed.
The contract allows up to $750,000 and will be taken from the city’s sewer fund. Work has begun and Bianchi said Friday it will take six to eight weeks to install the new storm sewer line.
The engineer said the old storm sewer will need to be “completely abandoned,” including pumping out the water and filling the line with material.
Work will also have to be done inspecting the ground under Bowman Street, which has been closed for several weeks between Third and Fourth streets, to make sure no damage under the road has been done due to the collapsed storm sewer line.
He said the road will likely be closed for at least two more months.
Also on Tuesday, City Council is expected to:
— give first read to a proposal that would allow for engineering services to begin on the construction of a dry dam in North Lake Park. The engineering and design work, if approved, would cost about $1.5 million and would take two years to complete.
— give a second read on proposed changes to city ordinances regulating emergency alarms.
— vote on a payment of $1,400 to Michael Swarn of 587 Park. Ave. West for damages related to a broken lateral water line in January.
— vote to accept a gift from Chuck Hahn for the maintenance of trees and shrubs on Fourth Street and Main Street, including mulching and fertilization.
— discuss during caucus the acceptance of $2,500 from the Ohio Division of Emergency Medical Services to be used in the purchase of EMS equipment for the Mansfield Fire Department.
— discuss during caucus the transfer of $78,057 in the safety-services fund to pay for the training of nine new police officers at North Central State College.
— discuss during caucus the release of $50,000 from the transient occupancy tax fund to make payments to Downtown Mansfield, Inc. and Destination Mansfield-Richland County.
— vote on ratifying the city’s participation in a state settlement of a lawsuit against three distribution companies Ohio officials have contended helped create an opioid crisis in Ohio.
