“We are not going to get the grant. We need to discuss our alternatives for the pilot program,” said Mayor Darrell Banks.
Mayor Banks opened discussion regarding alternatives to fund the WWTP Improvement Project in light of the village not being awarded the Research and Development (R&D) Grant from OWDA. According to Village Administrator Chuck Pscholka the application to fund the pilot testing and subsequent extended test of the Blue-In-Green Oxygen infusion system was rejected. R&D projects are only reviewed and approved once each year leaving the village unable to resubmit again until August of 2014.
Council members discussed options including not electing use of the technology and to revert back to plans to use an Oxygen transfer tank that uses a traditional blower technology which is less efficient. Another option would be to pursue the pilot study on their own terms and look to other options to pay for the system such as applying for an OPWC Grant/Loan. An option to delay the application for 2 years would enable the village to pursue a second OPWC application for a zero percent interest loan that could be paid back at approximately 15000 per year.
Mayor Banks stated to council it was the advice of the village administrator to fund the 30-day pilot test from village funds to prove the technology works and proceed with option 2. Banks added that if by chance the zero percent loan was not approved the village would have ample time to pursue other loan options.
Director of the Richland County Mental Health & Recovery Board Joe Trolian addressed to the council members and mayor Banks his gratitude for supporting National Recovery Month.
“It’s the support of our communities that allows us to do what we do,” said Trolian.
The proclamation outlines a pledge that communities in its entirety including citizens, government agencies, public and private institutions commit to an increased awareness and understanding of mental health and substance abuse disorders.
Trolian commented on the programs available to those suffering from substance abuse and the extent of the programs included job placement after an individual completed treatment.
“In our Recovery to Work program we currently have 22 individuals that are gainfully employed after completing treatment,” said Trolian. He added the program focuses on vocational training and stress management in order to increase rates of success. “We get them on the right track,” Trolian said.