Northwood looks to state EPA to test water from ditches

2/17/2014

Northwood City Council has asked the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to sample water from ditches along Curtice, Bradner, and Wynn roads for pollution from failed septic systems and other sources.

The problematic ditch on Curtice runs for about 8,700 feet west from Fostoria Road. On Bradner, the segment to be tested extends south for 3,200 feet from Curtice, while on Wynn it runs north from Curtice for about 1,600 feet.

Public Service Director Craig Meier told council members that the ditches exuded an odor “like a septic tank” when they were cleaned last summer. Council authorized Bob Anderson, city administrator, to send a letter he had drafted to the OEPA regional office in Bowling Green.

Mr. Meier also reported to council that Northwood had 400 tons of road salt on hand, including 100 tons recently borrowed from the city of Oregon. Late last month, he reported an inventory between 500 and 600 tons and said he was unable to buy more from suppliers. Council members and Mayor Mark Stoner praised Mr. Meier’s road crews for the exemplary job they had done this snowy winter.

In other business at its regular meeting last week, council approved the purchase of two police vehicles: a 2014 Ford Utility Interceptor sport utility vehicle for $25,778.50 and a 2014 Ford Fusion for $18,149. The vendor, Statewide Lincoln of Van Wert, was the lowest of four bidders.

Council also approved spending up to $26,000 for a half-ton pickup for the service department and renewed the city’s annual seniors’ recreation program agreement with the Eastern Community Branch of the YMCA for $2,000.

Mr. Stoner reported that mayor’s court collected $15,303 in January. The sum includes $3,427 in fines, $6,890 in forfeitures, and $4,986 in costs.