MADISON TOWNSHIP — Madison Township could possibly have an upgraded salt shed in addition to new storm sewers with help from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
Trustee Dan Fletcher said he came across chloride reduction grants from the H2Ohio Rivers Initiative this month.
“Heaven knows we need some storage facility upgrades, so that’s going to be my focus,” Fletcher said.
The State of Ohio launched the H2Ohio Rivers Initiative in 2019 and announced chloride reduction grants in December 2023. The goal of the program is to reduce over-application of de-icing materials that can contribute to runoff.
The application states the EPA will reimburse the approved municipalities for the costs they invest in equipment and storage upgrades.
The application states entities can collaborate with each other to combine small requests into larger collaborative applications. Fletcher said he has talked with county engineer Adam Gove and Richland Soil & Water Conservation director Erica Thomas about the grant opportunities.
“We’ll continue our discussion here the rest of this week about what will work,” he said. “I’m going to fill this out and submit it, and if we’re approved but for some reason aren’t satisfied with what it’s going to take to make it happen, then we won’t take the money.”
The Ohio EPA states grant selection should be finalized by the end of February. The 2024 funding will support $1 million to local municipalities in an effort to more efficiently apply road salt.
The funds are not eligible to cover personnel or administrative costs. Each governing body may request up to $75,000.
Township trustees also approved an application last week for an Ohio Public Works Commission grant for storm sewer work on Sites Road and Marianna Drive.
The $230,000 grant application includes a request for a $115,000 outright grant and $115,000 as a 20-year loan.
The work would include replacing storm sewers at Sites and Marianna, as well as resurfacing areas of both roads. On Sites Road, that includes the area north of Chew Road through the dead end. On Marianna Drive, it includes north of Chew Road through the dead end.
“Replacing those storm sewers will help us get the culvert work done down the line too,” trustee chair Tom Craft said. “Those roads are in bad shape and they have been for a while.”
Storm sewer work would start this summer if the grant is approved.
