Council OKs grant application for sewer projects

Walbridge Village Council approved a resolution Wednesday authorizing the mayor to apply for grant funding from the Ohio Public Works Commission for storm sewer projects.
Mayor Ed Kolanko said Thursday the village is seeking OPWC program funding and federal funds available through the state under House Bill 168, which went into effect in June.
He said the village is looking to complete about $1.1 million in sewer replacement projects along Main Street and Rehton Parkway.
“We’re hoping the village can get some additional funding to get those needed projects done. We’ve been having some drainage issues back there by Rehton Park. We’ve been kind of patching things over the years,” the mayor said.
Cost estimates for the Rehton work is about $440,000 and the work on Main Street is estimated at about $600,000.
HB 168 appropriates $250 million in federal funding for Fiscal 2022 for the Water and Sewer and Quality Program that will be administered by the Ohio Department of Development.
The department will determine project eligibility and establish a means of applying for the grants.
The program requires a local match or local contribution, but the department may waive the requirement in extraordinary circumstances.
In other business Wednesday, village council approved promoting officer Brandon Witt to full-time status on the police department.