By Matt Clevenger
For the Miami Valley Today
WEST MILTON — The village of West Milton is planning a new study to evaluate the condition of its Wastewater Treatment Plant and offer recommendations for improvements and possible expansion in the future.
Village council members approved the survey, which will be conducted by Bluffton-based firm Wesler Engineering Incorporated starting sometime in January of 2022, during their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 14. The cost of the survey is not to exceed $45,000.
“It’s not glamorous work; we don’t think about it until it fails,” Wesler Engineering representative Eric Davis said. “We’ll look at the processes, look at the applications, look at the machinery, look at what’s working and what’s not working and present a determination about what the next step should be.”
“We would probably want to get started right after the first of the year,” Davis said.
“We’ve got to know where we stand with it, to chart a path forward and make a plan for the future,” council member Chris Horn said.
“Staff and I interviewed multiple firms,” Municipal Manager Jeffrey Sheridan said. “Our staff unanimously selected to work with Wesler. They have a great track record in water and wastewater.”
The village is also working on two other studies to evaluate water and wastewater service rates. “At the workshop in January is when I expect to present the rate studies that we’ve done on water and wastewater and have the financial consultant at the workshop to explain the study and their recommendations,” Sheridan said.
In other business, council members also approved an ordinance amending subdivision fees and charges. “This is the legislation that we’ve been considering for a time,” Sheridan said. “It deals with modifying and updating the ordinance as far as permit fees.”
Council members passed the ordinance as it was read during their regular meeting in November, and they are planning to make changes later through amendments. “I know there’s quite a bit of a discussion about how we might make some changes,” Sheridan said.
Council members also approved a resolution authorizing a new agreement with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office to assist the village with debt collection services for delinquent income tax. “This is the program the finance director brought to our attention,” Sheridan said. “It’s just another avenue for us to collect on delinquent income tax.”
Council members also approved several new appointments to the village’s board of adjustments, including planning board representative Scott Fogle. “Miss Gregory was willing to serve, and Wesley Visor and David Copp,” Sheridan said. “We need one more; we can actually have the meeting with four members.”
“We’ve discussed appointments to the tax incentive review council,” Sheridan said. “If anyone is interested in serving, let me know, and hopefully in January we can make those appointments.”
Council members also passed a resolution appointing Laura Wright as the village’s new municipal clerk and announced the village will cooperate with the county for relief efforts to aid recent tornado victims. “The county announced this morning Operation Miami County Cares,” Sheridan said. “For the next three days, they will be collecting non-perishable baby supplies, food, clothing and so forth.”
“We should coordinate with the county and encourage our residents to bring those materials to the county fairgrounds,” he said.
Council members also announced the beginning of regular weekly visits from representatives of Congressman Warren Davidson. “Congressman Davidson’s staff will now be renewing their visits, starting to visit the village on the first Thursday of the month around 9:30 a.m.,” Sheridan said. “Any residents who have questions or concerns for the congressman can stop by the village hall.”
Council members also moved to cancel their upcoming regularly scheduled workshop on Tuesday, Dec. 28, and re-scheduled their first council meeting in January due to the election. “Traditionally, we cancel the workshop in December,” Mayor Anthony Miller said.
“Because of the election, our first council meeting in January will not be on the second Tuesday of the month,” Sheridan said. “It will actually be on Jan. 4; at that time, those who are successful in the election will be sworn in.”
Village council’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be held in the municipal building at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022.
