MADISON TOWNSHIP — The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency announced an award Monday that will greatly improve water quality for Madison residents.
The Madison Water District will be awarded $378,500 to improve water infrastructure and increase access to safe drinking water.
The project involves connecting 200 Madison Township residents and 10 businesses to municipal water lines for reliable, safe public drinking water.
Trustee Tom Craft said this was taken care of completely within the Ohio EPA and Madison Water District.
“It’s going to be great for those businesses to do away with the contaminated wells in that area,” he said.
According to a press release from Gov. Mike DeWine, the H2Ohio projects focus on regionalization or consolidation of water infrastructure to help extend service to underserved areas.
Regionalization allows communities to save on operational costs and benefit from improved infrastructure.
These funds are part of the sixth round of the H2Ohio program — the statewide water quality initiative supported by the Governor and Ohio General Assembly.
“This funding addresses a very specific need in the Mansfield area,” said Ohio EPA Director Anne M. Vogel. “We’re always looking to help Ohio communities solve challenges and that’s exactly what these H2Ohio dollars will do.”
Cheryl Casler, president of the Madison Water Board of Directors, said this project is a continuation of work from the past 20 years.
“The Madison Water District is pleased to participate in a joint effort with Ohio EPA to provide safe, potable water to businesses and residents of Madison Township,” she said.
“Ohio EPA has been mindful of any continued contamination in the district and has offered funding to assist the Madison Water District in connecting additional customers throughout the last several years.”
Craft said Ohio EPA staff members came to the township hall Monday to congratulate the township. Elected officials State Sen. Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario), Rep. Marilyn John (R-Richland County) and County Commissioner Cliff Mears were also in attendance.
“Clean and safe water is essential for our residents’ health and for our businesses to grow and succeed,” Romanchuk said. “These funds will be a welcome help to Madison Township.”
Trustees also approved an advertisement for bids on the Manner Drive drainage project to help solve flooding issues at the intersection of Manner and Eastview drives.
Bids will open on Dec. 9.
“It’s been a long time coming, but we’ve secured funding and I’m looking forward to seeing that project completed,” trustee Dan Fletcher said.
Also in Monday’s meeting:
- Trustees approved a number of appropriation reallocations for the 2024 general fund, fire and EMS and sales tax funds.
- Road Superintendent Larry Weirich said the road department started its second round of leaf pickup Nov. 18. Residents can place their leaves near the edge of roadways for pickup.
- Trustees approved a $100 reimbursement for a zoning permit issued to Christopher Lozier in 2023 because the county denied his request to build storage units on Burger Avenue.
- Fire Chief Ken Justus wrote in his report that the fire department will host its annual “Fill the Ambulance” campaign on Dec. 8 and 15 in front of the Kroger parking lot on Ashland Road. The ambulance will be parked from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days collecting clothing, children’s gifts and food for families in need. Anyone who wants to donate items at other times can drop them off at either fire station between Nov. 20 and Dec. 20.