Sewer projects drawing closer

A winter start date for three major sewer projects should be possible for the Jay County Regional Sewer District.
The district board approved a bond ordinance presented by bond counsel Kim Blanchet on first reading Monday night as members step closer to completing an administrative checklist leading into construction of the three projects — one southwest of Portland, one north of Dunkirk and one on Dunkirk’s south end.
“This sets forth all the parameters for your financing,” Blanchet said when she presented the ordinance, which will be adopted at the next meeting.
Blanchet also gave board members an outline on further steps that will need to be taken.
At the Nov. 8 meeting the board is expected to adopt the bond ordinance and review a rate ordinance, which is currently being worked on by financial consultant H.J. Umbaugh and Associates. That rate study will determine the monthly cost that will be charged to each property hooked up to the new sewer lines.
The board will hold a special meeting to host a public hearing on Dec. 6 to discuss and adopt the rate ordinance and then will close on the bond issue at its regular meeting on Dec. 13.
Construction should begin around that mid-December mark and continue through the winter months. Previous estimates called for a 120-day construction period.
The district board also needs to finalize treatment agreements with the cities of Portland and Dunkirk, which will be accepting the sewage from the new lines.
In other business Monday night, the sewer district board:
•Agreed to pay a bill of $457.08 to The Commercial Review for legal ads published in the newspaper regarding the sewer project bids.
Commonwealth Engineers’ Ben Adams said verification that the legals were published is required by Rural Development before it can release funding for the projects.
•Signed a combined contract with Commonwealth Engineers at the request of Rural Development. The district had five contracts with Commonwealth but was asked by RD to combine all those into one and send in a copy.
•Accepted the resignation of Jim Wasson from the position of treasurer of the board. The board elected Tim Kesler, the superintendent of the Dunkirk wastewater department, to replace Wasson. The move was made so the treasurer would have more easier direct communication with the board’s contract financial assistant, CPA Rose Morgan. Morgan’s office is in Dunkirk.
•Were informed by Adams that he will meet with H.J. Umbaugh this week to work on the district rate ordinance.[[In-content Ad]]