High cost delays Market Street waterline replacement

CELINA - A major waterline replacement project has been pushed back for a second time.

Mayor Jeff Hazel and safety service director Tom Hitchcock said the East Market Street project, estimated at more than $1 million, has been rescheduled for 2013. It initially was planned for 2011 but was scrapped due to high bids.

However, the Logan Street waterline replacement project will happen this year, Hazel told city council at a meeting this week.

Hazel attributed the one-year delay of the East Market Street project to its high cost. He said city officials will seek $280,000 in Ohio Public Works Commission funds next year to help finance the work.

The project will replace the water main on the north side of East Market Street from Main to Enterprise streets. All curbs, gutters and sidewalks would also be replaced.

In addition to possible state funds, revenue from the state Route 703 tax increment financing district would help pay for the project, Hazel said. The current fund balance is $241,092.

The Logan Street project slated for this year is estimated at $352,231 and will be paid through $140,000 in Ohio Public Works Commission money secured in 2011 as well as water and storm water funds. The water main will be replaced along two blocks, from Main to Sugar streets.

Both projects would complete a loop of improved water volume and pressure to the east side of Celina by connecting recently installed water mains on Main, Buckeye and Enterprise streets.

The only other major capital infrastructure project scheduled for this year is a $40,000 sidewalk initiative. The project was called off the last two years because of inadequate funds.

Administrators believe Ward 3 (west of U.S. 127 and north of Logan Street) is next in line for sidewalk replacements. Property owners will be responsible for the cost of replacing sidewalks along their property lines. The city will hire a contractor to do the work and residents will be billed for their portion. Residents also can choose to hire their own contractor.

Other proposed capital expenses for 2012 are:

• $51,000 for park equipment - a $22,000 climbing wall, a $12,500 medium slide, $8,000 worth of new filters and a $4,000 diving board for the pool that may be paid by the Bryson Trust Fund and a $4,500 backstop net for Montgomery Field.

• $97,000 for police department purchases - $52,000 for two new police cruisers, $4,500 for a digital recording system and $40,000 for software upgrades.

• $33,080 for fire department purchases - $2,280 for fire hoses, $3,300 for a hydraulic tool connector, $3,500 for six gas monitors, $2,000 for computer/software upgrades and $22,000 worth of equipment for the new grass truck.

• $95,000 for public works - $10,000 for miscellaneous repairs and $85,000 for a new 1-ton dump truck.

• $670,000 for the electric department - a $200,000 new bucket truck, a $60,000 new pickup truck, $80,000 for traffic signal replacements at Market and Walnut streets and various other expenditures for repairs, replacements and activities.

• $215,000 for the water department - $15,000 for meter upgrades, $40,000 for sludge collectors, $40,000 for a new rubber roof, $10,000 for fluorescent light fixture replacements and various other expenditures for replacements, upgrades and studies.

• $108,100 for the wastewater department - $30,00 for pump, blower and motor replacements, $14,000 for meter, valve and pipe replacements, $10,000 for engineering services and various other expenditures for meters, equipment and other activity.

• $17,800 for the storm water department - $5,000 for storm pipes, manholes and castings, $3,500 for catch basins and other equipment.