The Associated Press

Commissioners urged Hecla Water Association Thursday to speed up a new water line project because future customers need drinking water.

Friday, July 28, 2000

Commissioners urged Hecla Water Association Thursday to speed up a new water line project because future customers need drinking water.

"I’ve been getting several calls from people who think they’re being put off and I think so, too," commissioner Paul Herrell said during the board’s meeting.

The county secured about $600,000 in grant money last year to serve more than 200 people and expected new lines to be under construction by now, he said.

Hecla Water, which is matching the grant with its own funding, has said recent years of drought has forced it to construct new wells before adding lines to its and Lawrence Water’s system.

The companies must receive Environmental Protection Agency approval for new lines first, said Tim Dalton, Hecla technical support engineer.

"In the Ohio Revised Code, we cannot begin construction until we get a permit from them and part of the permit is we have to show there is source water available," Dalton said.

Wells are nearing completion and Hecla hopes to draw water from them within the next two to three weeks, he said.

Once permits are issued, the only delays on the project will come from delivery of materials or other issues, Dalton said.

"This does cause concern for the commission because they are seeing a delay they have not seen before," he said, adding that Hecla has worked as fast as it could.

Water line grants in previous years moved along differently because Hecla did not need additional wells at those times, Dalton said.

"Once the well is in production it will be fine," he said.

Regardless of the reasons for the delay, people who need drinking water are without it, Herrell said.

"We got the grant over there and it’s time it goes," he said. "It’s absolutely laid there too long."

Commissioner George Patterson agreed, adding that it’s up to the water companies now.

Commission president Bruce Trent was absent from the meeting.

Also Thursday, commissioners took no action on a Lawrence County Humane Society request to increase funding for the county humane agent position.

Agent Carla Beasley resigned and the group is seeking applications, society member Reb Beasley told commissioners.

The society would like to increase the agent’s salary from $6,000 to $12,000 in order to attract better candidates for the often 30- to 35-hour job, Beasley said.

"I understand if I’m the humane officer it’s a demanding job our only concern is the budget," Patterson said.

There might be some extra funding this year but if salary is increase, next year’s budget might not be able to support it, he said.

Beasley asked if commissioners felt the $6,000 was a "just and reasonable" amount as outlined in the state law that governs the agent position.

Commissioners said they would have to discuss the issue when all members were present and weigh it against budget concerns.

Beasley said the humane society will advertise the position at $6,000 in the meantime.

But society members are likely to look for future commission candidates that are more sympathetic to their cause, too, he said after the meeting.