Money is the root of many problems in Ferry | News, sports, jobs

TL Photo/JENNIFER COMPSTON-STROUGH Martins Ferry Service and Safety Director Andy Sutak, front, briefs council on upgrades to the water system during a regular meeting Wednesday. Behind him are Council President Kristine Davis (left) and Clerk of Court Kay McFarlan.

MARTINS FERRY – Money is key to running city business efficiently, and city leaders pointed out Wednesday that in many cases the necessary funding is lacking.

The Martins Ferry City Council met in its regular meeting Wednesday and passed legislation that will help provide the necessary funding to further modernize the water treatment and distribution system. The city had borrowed money last year by issuing $5 million in bonds for the work, and on Wednesday the City Council unanimously approved an initial renewal of those early bonds while increasing the amount to 5.5 million US dollars.

The action came after Service and Safety Director Andy Sutak and Jeremy Shrodes, who carries out electrical maintenance at the water treatment plant, gave an overview of the work completed so far.

They said many of the city’s wells have been cleaned and new pumps, motors and screens installed.

Work has also been carried out to modernize the interior of the plant and Shrodes said parts have been standardized to create one “Universal” fit – this means that the department can now hold many spare parts that can be used in many places in the treatment system. This minimizes delays in restoring water supply if a pump or motor fails, as teams do not have to order replacement parts and wait for them to be delivered.

In addition, provisions are made for wells to be cleaned every three years instead of every five years, and cleanings are staggered to reduce expenses during a given year. Shrodes said that thanks to the work completed so far, the city is able to pump nearly 4 million gallons of treated water daily.

Sutak said the additional money will allow other projects to be completed, such as installing new pumps, motors and controls at the Walnut Pump Station, a new propane generator for the Sunset Pump Station outside city limits, and electrical upgrades within city limits at the plant and well towers , thereby increasing safety for workers.

The bonds bear interest at an interest rate of 6%, to be paid over a period of 40 years using revenue from the water supply system.

Meanwhile, answers to other questions raised during the meeting were also limited to how much money is available.

Comptroller Jack Regis Jr. reported that the city’s cash position is generally good, but he noted that he is forecasting a year-end deficit of $5,700 for the water department and that he is also keeping a close eye on the wastewater budget. Although the water authority began the year with a $390,000 surplus, Regis said numerous pipe breaks and repairs that were made while workers were earning overtime pay and the city’s inability to provide water for oil and gas fracking operations to seal this year reduced this surplus.

Discussing one of those water line projects, Sutak said workers had just completed installing a new line on East Road that had experienced three to five breaks in two weeks. He said the crew “did an excellent job” and emphasized that city leaders and residents are doing so “blessed” to have such good workers and employees like Shrodes and others at the sewage treatment plant.

“It just shows what kind of workforce we have.” Sutak emphasized, noting that Mayor John Davies, who was absent, agreed.

Money is also a driving factor in efforts to determine when necessary repairs can be made to the city building’s roof. Sutak said he and Davies met with representatives from WE Quicksall to obtain estimates and recommendations.

Sutak added that he is working with the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association and possibly the Ohio Department of Transportation to obtain funding to repair alumni and school roads leading to the Martins Ferry City Schools campus. Parts of the roads were closed last year after two slips occurred.

Resident Richard Hord addressed the council during the public comment portion of the meeting. He expressed concern about the number of businesses that have recently closed in the city and suggested that the council revive the economic development director position, which has been held in the past by people like Donald R. Myers, Stanley Stein, Joseph Bencur and Katherine Kelich was held.

“How do we finance it?” Sutak replied.

Regis and Council President Kristine Davis echoed Sutak’s question, noting the position was funded through federal programs in the past and has been doing so ever since “dried up.”

A similar response came to Hord’s question about the Belmont County Land Reutilization Corp. or land bank demolishing dilapidated buildings in the city.

“You have no money” Sutak said, pointing out that when the land bank was founded several years ago, it only served the communities of Martins Ferry, Bellaire and Bridgeport. Because of their average income, federal funding was available to these communities.

But the land bank has now expanded to include all of Belmont County, meaning its money still needs to be stretched further. Sutak added that properties are being considered for demolition “moved up in the list” when an end user has been identified. He said the goal of the land bank is not to own properties once they are cleared; Rather, it aims to bring these properties back into the tax base to generate revenue for the county.

In other matters:

Davis reminded the public that early in-person voting is already taking place in the Nov. 5 general election. She encourages everyone to learn about local, state and national issues and candidates and to vote.

Davis announced that a trick-or-treat festival will be held in the city on October 31 from 6 to 8 p.m.

And speaking on behalf of the mayor, Davis said the street sweeper will be in use the first two weeks of November. People should obey posted signs and park accordingly. Anyone who parks on the wrong side of the street when the sweeper is running will receive a ticket.

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