A solution to Aberdeen’s water trouble was decided by the village council this past week, as council voted to proceed with building a water treatment plant for the village. Aberdeen was mandated to make a decision on which direction they were planning to go with their water systems by Feb. 15 by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The new council has been reviewing their options for the project. Gina Hayes and Dan Cloyd, from the Ohio EPA, were present at the meeting to help council make their decision.

Hayes said the EPA would have funding available to help Aberdeen with their construction projects provided the village goes with the most economically viable option to providing clean, EPA certified water to the village residents. Aberdeen had four options, including hooking on to the village of Ripley’s water system, hooking on to the city of Maysville’s water system, selling their water system to Brown County Rural Water, and building a water plant for the village themselves.

Hayes said Aberdeen would have to submit for funding from the EPA by March 15 if they wanted assistance. However, Hayes said the money would only be available if Aberdeen chose to hook on to another system.

“That would be for connection, which we consider the most cost effective approach,” Hayes said.

Maysville’s proposal was for a 40-year contract with the village, costing between $1.5 million and $2 million to run a line from Kentucky into Ohio. The line would be run under the Ohio River, which could also create some major problems in the event of a leak. Ripley is offering a 20-year contract to run a line up US 52 for a cost of around $1.5 million. However, there may be legal trouble in getting a line to the village since neither Ripley or Aberdeen own the land between the two villages.

Selling the system to Brown County Rural Water would provide an alternative to the village, as BCRWA would handle the cost of all line breaks and water system upgrades. However, the village would lose the ability to control the village’s water system. Additionally, tap fees for new customers are set at $3,000.

Aberdeen had considered building a water plant in the past, estimating the cost of the project to be around $3.3 million. The project involved digging a new well for the village and a water softening system.

Ripley resident Annette Mineer said selling the system to Brown County Rural water would be devastating to the village, since there are a large number of rental properties. She urged council to build a plant to keep the system in Aberdeen. Council member Billie Eitel said Aberdeen does not have the ability to build a plant at this time.

“If we had the money and we were able to pay the money back, I would definitely be in favor of building a water treatment plant,” Eitel said. “I have been in favor of a water treatment plant. However, we do not have the money, we do not have the funding, we have the EPA here representing the village that says they don’t feel we’re competent enough to even operate a water treatment plant.”

“It’s got to the point we don’t have a lot of choices,” Eitel said.

Council member Jerry Applegate said the water rates in the village will increase regardless of Aberdeen’s decision, since Ripley, Maysville and BCRWA would not keep the village’s rate at $17.50 per customer. Additionally, building a new plant would also cause the rates to go up. He said it would be better if Aberdeen has to raise the rates than if they leave it to an outside party.

“Do I like raising our rates $17 or $18? No I do not,” Applegate said. “I hate to say this, but we’re going to have to do that regardless of what we do. Yes, we have had it well with our water rates, compared to other cities. We’ve been living like it’s 15 years ago.”

Council also heard from Dallas Hurt, from Sweeny, Cartwright and Company, who told the village they would be able to get credit for the project on Build America bonds. Hurt said the money would be available if council wanted to pursue a water treatment plant.

Council member Hugh Hall made a motion for the village to pursue a water treatment plant in Aberdeen.

Cloyd reminded council that the water system would not be cheap, and would also require money for maintenance, upgrades, salaries, and more. He said the EPA was willing to extend the deadline for council to make a decision on the matter, since there were a lot of issues that needed to be discussed.

“This is not free. Just because you pull water out of the ground doesn’t mean it’s free. It takes electricity. The treatment process requires that you put money into it to make sure it works properly. You have to have people present in the facility to make sure it works, and they have to be competent and state certified,” Cloyd said. “It’s not magic. It is not.”

Council member Robert Hutchinson said council has discussed this issue plenty of times in the past and urged council to make a decision. The motion came to a vote, and council voted to build a new water plant, with council members Eitel and Jay Castle against.

Castle said he felt joining with Ripley was the best option, as it would give Aberdeen more money to replace some of its aging water lines. He said some of Aberdeen’s lines have been in place for the going on 70 years. Castle said council agreed to go with the water treatment plant, but he still does not feel that is the best option for the village.

“Majority rules, this is America, they won, but woe to you when you see your upcoming bills. You’ll regret it,” Castle said.

Council will continue with plans on the plant at a later date.

In other business:

• In response to a decline in funding, council voted to decrease the fiscal officer’s salary from $30,000 per year to $20,000 per year. The finance committee will have additional budget recommendations soon.

• Police Chief Clark Gast said there is currently an issue in Mayor’s Court to reduce all fines in the village filed prior to Dec. 31, 2009 to one half of their original amount. Additionally, bench warrants will be released, drivers license blocks will be removed and there will be letters from the court stating the defendant has paid all fines and costs. The defendant must report to the police department on their own to take advantage of the amnesty, which will be offered from Feb. 2 to March 10. This only applies to fines and costs in Aberdeen Mayor’s Court. Gast said the issue was created due to the state of the current economy as an effort to get more money flowing back to the village from Mayor’s Court. The issue was to be discussed in Mayor’s court on Tuesday.