Coshocton and West Lafayette water project underway
Thanks to COVID-19, there was not an on-site groundbreaking ceremony when the shovel hit the dirt and the groundwork began earlier in July for the Coshocton – West Lafayette Water Project. However, a virtual groundbreaking ceremony did take place on July 28 when Mayor Bordenkircher, Mayor Mills, Mercer, Crown, Wierzbicki and many other individuals who were instrumental in the Coshocton – West Lafayette Water Project met via Zoom. (Submitted)
Last year, when chemicals were found underground that were threatening the water supply of the village of West Lafayette, West Lafayette Mayor Stephen Bordenkircher and Steve Mercer, mayor of Coshocton at the time, started working together with Safety Service Director Max Crown to figure out a way to get water from Coshocton to West Lafayette. Then, when Mercer’s term as mayor came to an end in January 2020, Mayor Mark Mills stepped in to help get the project underway.
Together these men and their hard work and good negotiating skills made this project possible. Altogether they were able to get approximately six million dollars worth of funding which allowed this project to officially get off the ground, or more like underground.
Mayor Mills stated Jeannette Wierzbicki, with Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association (OMEGA), played a crucial role in this process as well. “Jeannette was a tremendous help,” and she “should be applauded” said Mills. “OMEGA is like the economic development arm for the state of Ohio, and they always come through.” Mills explained that OMEGA takes care of funding, making sure bills get paid, distributing monies, etcetera and said they are “vital to the success of the city.” He also identified Kennedy Webb, communications director for OMEGA as a huge help with the project.
In addition to OMEGA, this project would not have gotten started without the help of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), H2Ohio and the many funding sources such as the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), the Community Development Block Grant program, and the US Army Corp of Engineers in Huntington, WV, to name a few. Mayor Mills said he is “definitely thankful for everyone who is working hard” on site, too.
The project, which is scheduled to be completed within 330 days (less than a full year), has three phases to it. The first phase has already begun and that is the main line construction from Coshocton to West Lafayette. Presently, J.S. Bova Escavating is working on getting 3,000 feet of pipe in the ground. According to Mayor Mills and Crown, this first phase will not be easy as the crew has a lot of flint to get through.
This first phase may pose some inconvenience to residents too as work is being done near County Road 16 between Coshocton and West Lafayette. Travelers may find some lane closures during this process but the current plan is to keep the road open. There will be flaggers on the road should there be a lane closed, so drivers will want to keep a look out and give themselves a little extra time if they are traveling CR 16.
The second phase of the water project will take place when Tuscon, out of New Philadelphia, starts working on replacing the main lines in West Lafayette and get interior pipes put in. The third and final phase will be done by Core & Main and it will involve the installation of water meters.
Thanks to COVID-19, there was not an on-site groundbreaking ceremony when the shovel hit the dirt and the groundwork began earlier in July. However, a virtual groundbreaking ceremony did take place on July 28 when Mayor Bordenkircher, Mayor Mills, Mercer, Crown, Wierzbicki and many other individuals who were instrumental in the Coshocton – West Lafayette Water Project met via Zoom. During the ceremony Mayor Mills shared his response to COVID-19 and it’s impact on the groundbreaking ceremony. “You might be able to hold us back, but you can’t keep us down,” he said.
Mercer shared that this water project is great for the entire county and for the city of Coshocton being a regional water supplier. Mayor Mills added, “I believe when one of us benefits, we all benefit.” Thanks to the collaboration of so many, residents of West Lafayette will feel the benefits when this project is completed, and they are able to enjoy drinking clean, safe water a year from now.
Category: Government
