Plant plans advance

Wastewater treatment designs are in motion.

Fort Recovery Village Council approved a contract not to exceed $120,000 Monday with engineering consulting firm Kleinfelder for work related to the new wastewater system plan.

Village administrator Randy Diller explained the village is ready to move forward with final design plans on a system with Lemna Environmental Technologies. Hopes are for the project to meet Ohio Environmental Protection Agency limits for phosphorus, ammonia and E. coli starting in 2028. The next step in the process, he explained, includes creating a 35% plan that would begin final design work.

“This will be the point where we start zeroing down on what we’re going to do and how we’re going to do it,” said Diller.

Kelly Jutte, a local resident with expertise in the water and wastewater treatment fields, was hired as a consultant for the village earlier this year. Diller said her input has been helpful as they’ve moved through the planning process.

The village has been looking into options for years on how to approach the EPA’s new limits for E. coli, phosphorus and ammonia. Mayor Dave Kaup noted the village may want to act quickly on the legislation proposed Monday, noting the process has moved slowly. Diller pointed out part of the reason it has taken longer is because the village has been looking into various options over the years.

Village council reviewed options a few years ago for constructing a mechanical wastewater treatment plant. In the last year, it has moved toward a project with Lemna Environmental Technologies that would utilize the existing wastewater lagoons while adding in mechanical aspects.

Diller explained the work would include putting in a dual system with two separate locations. The dual system would allow the village to perform maintenance, meet EPA requirements and foster the capacity for village growth in the future.

The project would also include a building near the lagoons for testing. Diller explained the estimated 2,000-square-foot structure would likely consist of an office, a laboratory, restrooms and storage. Although some companies have estimated the structure at $1 million, Diller anticipates the village could build the structure for significantly less.

Also Monday, village council met with four candidates applying for the two open council seats in January. (Council members Cliff Wendel and Eric Fiely did not seek reelection.)

Applicants were Shawn Thobe, Eric Albers, Amy Wendel and Jerry Byram.

Thobe has worked as the information technology director at Cheeseman Transport for 20 years. 

Albers has worked at Affolder Equipment Sales of Berne, Indiana, and Minster, Ohio, for about three years. Previously he worked at J&M Manufacturing for about 20 years.

Wendel, business coordinator at Wabash Mutual Telephone Company, has spent 17 years at the company. She’s also been involved with Fort Recovery Chamber of Commerce and Fort Recovery Jubilee Committee.

Byram works as a Fort Recovery Local Schools bus driver. A local resident, he formerly served as a milk truck driver.

Candidates shared hopes to help the community continue to thrive. Wendel advocated for getting the community involved. Thobe talked about continuing water treatment projects, fostering safety and youth retention. 

Byram spoke in favor of continuing sidewalk projects. Albers cited housing and street resurfacing as his main focuses.

Diller noted the board would discuss candidates in executive session following the meeting Monday. A decision will be made and announced at council’s meeting Jan. 5.

In other business, council members Greg Schmitz, Scott Pearson, Luke Knapke, Al Post and Wendel, absent Fiely:

•Approved paying $83,000 to environmental consultant Eagon and Associates to complete a 10-inch well and final site plan as related to installing a third well for the village.

•Authorized the village administrator to sign an agreement for a sidewalk project along Ohio 49 and Sharpsburg Road as part of the Systemic Safety Funding grant. Diller explained the final resolution sets the village’s cost, which will be about 10% of the project. Plans are to bid out the project in January.

•Amended the tax ordinance to include the 0.5-percentage-point increase in the village’s income tax starting in 2026. About 73% of Fort Recovery voters supported the adjustment last month.

•Adopted the village’s wage ordinance on a final reading. The ordinance includes 3.5% raises for village employees next year.

•Transferred $2,431.18 from the police grant fund to the general fund for wages and $178.05 from unclaimed funds to the general fund.

•Heard a final sendoff from Wendel, who has served on the board for a dozen years. He thanked past council members, pointing to others who served on the board for decades. He also wished new council members good luck and shared best wishes for retiring village employees Roberta Staugler and Randy Diller as well as future village administrator Aaron Rengers.