EATON — The Preble County Board of Commissioners hosted the first of four quarterly meetings regarding Sewer District 6 on Monday, Feb. 27. The meeting was open to the public and held at Grace Brethren Community Church outside of West Alexandria.

In attendance were the county commissioners, Rachael Vonderhaar, David Haber and Adam Craft, along with newly appointed Preble County Health Department Director Scott Wilford, Preble County Health Department Environmental Director Emily Tyler, and Preble County Engineer Kyle Cross.

Haber began the meeting by briefly summarizing the status of the project. “Right now, we have our plans all submitted to the Ohio EPA, we went over various different segments of it and now it’s in their hands for approval. It was put together by a very reliable company, it shouldn’t be a problem. We get the (EPA) approval, we’ll put it out for bid.”

Haber added, the bidding process could take some time, but stated exactly how long is currently undetermined.

According to Tyler, once the project is completed residents in the “footprint” area will be required to “abandon” any and all septic tanks on their property. Methods of abandonment all include emptying the tank, and range from filling the emptied tank with concrete, gravel, or crushing it. Residents will be obligated by the State of Ohio to hook up to the new system, which requires obtaining at least two relevant permits. No resident will be allowed to opt out in favor of using their septic system.

The plumbing permit will be given upon approved inspection and cost $50, while the abandonment permit costs $40. Both permits are mandatory for residents in the affected area, according to Tyler.

It was suggested by one resident the permit fees should be forgone since the majority of the region is not in favor of the new system. Tyler assured residents the idea can be pursued, but ultimately it would be the decision of the Ohio Health Department. Haber added, he has already made requests to speak with the state on waiving any fees connected with tapping into the system.

Haber also noted, the property owners have the right to abandon their own tanks and hook up to the new system themselves, but all systems and tap ins must still pass inspection.

Some residents questioned Cross as to the funding for the project. Preble County was previously awarded a grant in the amount of $8,000,000 to be spent solely for Sewer District 6. The grant expires by the end of 2025, and therefore will be used to pay toward both the water treatment plant being built, and the delivery system to the plant from residential areas.

Commissioners have said this is a separate grant from the ARPA fund of the same amount received for the entire county.

“We’re going to exhaust every grant dollar that we can on the front end, and then on the low end is when loans would come in when that money runs out,” said Cross.

Commissioners also confirmed that for each $1,000,000 borrowed for the project, the billing to residents will increase by $10.

Cross added, there is the possibility of ARPA funds being put toward the Sewer District 6 project if the county commissioners choose to do so, but no funding has at this point been confirmed.

The commissioners added, they are currently awaiting the return of bids for construction before allotting any funds from ARPA toward the Sewer District 6 project.

Tyler informed residents they could be eligible for a water pollution grant based on household income which can be used to pay for the abandonment of their septic systems, however the septic system must be broken, faulty or dysfunctional at the time of application.

Some residents also expressed concerns over uprooting trees and removing property such as sheds and outbuildings. Cross answered there would be “some flexibility” as there will be unique situations, however large trees will be removed if they are in the way, with the county replacing them with new trees when possible.

The Preble County Board of Commissioners will host three more meetings highlighting the status of the project along with any updates. These meetings will take place May 22, Aug. 21, and Nov. 13. All remaining meetings are currently scheduled for the same location at 6 p.m.

Reach Nathan Hoskins at 937-683-4057.