As it stands, county will provide water to U.S. 33
By TAMARIA L. KULEMEKA
The Eagle-Gazette Staff
tkulemeka@nncogannett.com
LANCASTER - The Fairfield County Commissioners stood their ground Tuesday in a dispute about who would provide water and wastewater services to a proposed Joint Economic Development District in the county.
The commissioners met with the officials from Lancaster, Canal Winchester and Bloom and Violet townships - four of the five communities planning to enter into a joint agreement to spur economic development along the U.S. 33 corridor.
Commissioners asked officials several questions regarding the proposed agreement. But commissioners said they feared that the proposal would hinder the county from serving the area in the district.
''We've invested over $10 million,'' said Commissioner Judy Shupe. ''We have the facilities, and we are the best to serve the area.''
After a two-hour meeting, the commissioners and officials who were present came to an agreement.
Pickerington is the fifth community involved in the proposed JEDD contract, though no city representative attended the meeting.
The revision to the contract will have to be agreed upon by Pickerington before it can be changed permanently.
The commissioners provide water and wastewater services to the unincorporated areas of the county, which is most of the area covered in the proposed JEDD.
The JEDD would cover the area along U.S. 33 - just north of Carroll up to the Diley Road area, and one mile on either side of U.S. 33 between Carroll and the Diley Road area.
The proposed contract stated the economic development district could be serviced by a property owner or developer's choice provider - a point of contention for the county commissioners.
''It leaves us vulnerable for anyone to come in and provide service,'' Shupe said.
Shupe said most of the land in the economic development district is in the county's water and wastewater service area. The county does not have jurisdiction over whether the townships join the district, Shupe said.
Shupe said the county first learned of the contract wording regarding the service after Fairfield County Utilities Director Tony Vogel reviewed the draft contract.
''He found there was no language protecting the service area,'' she said.
The commissioners wanted the contract revised to state the JEDD area ''is intended to be served by the Fairfield County Utilities as it is in their current service area.''
Shupe and Vogel said they met resistance from some city and township officials who objected to having the language changed.
Lancaster Mayor Dave Smith sent an e-mail to officials and representatives in the JEDD communities, citing the commissioners' proposed change ''is not necessary and may in fact contradict all the discussions that we have had previously at the JEDD meetings on who has the responsibility for utilities.''
Pickerington City Councilman Jeff Fix agreed with Smith's e-mail in another e-mail to JEDD officials.
Smith said it was his understanding - during six months of discussions leading up to the proposed JEDD - that the county, Canal Winchester and Pickerington serviced the proposed economic development area.
''I didn't see any reason to change anything because the provider would be determined by the property owner or developer,'' Smith said. ''However, today, it sounds like it's (Fairfield County's) area to service.''
Shupe said the issue could've been avoided had the commissioners been let in on the JEDD talks among the townships and towns.
By TAMARIA L. KULEMEKA
The Eagle-Gazette Staff
tkulemeka@nncogannett.com
LANCASTER - The Fairfield County Commissioners stood their ground Tuesday in a dispute about who would provide water and wastewater services to a proposed Joint Economic Development District in the county.
The commissioners met with the officials from Lancaster, Canal Winchester and Bloom and Violet townships - four of the five communities planning to enter into a joint agreement to spur economic development along the U.S. 33 corridor.
Commissioners asked officials several questions regarding the proposed agreement. But commissioners said they feared that the proposal would hinder the county from serving the area in the district.
''We've invested over $10 million,'' said Commissioner Judy Shupe. ''We have the facilities, and we are the best to serve the area.''
After a two-hour meeting, the commissioners and officials who were present came to an agreement.
Pickerington is the fifth community involved in the proposed JEDD contract, though no city representative attended the meeting.
The revision to the contract will have to be agreed upon by Pickerington before it can be changed permanently.
The commissioners provide water and wastewater services to the unincorporated areas of the county, which is most of the area covered in the proposed JEDD.
The JEDD would cover the area along U.S. 33 - just north of Carroll up to the Diley Road area, and one mile on either side of U.S. 33 between Carroll and the Diley Road area.
The proposed contract stated the economic development district could be serviced by a property owner or developer's choice provider - a point of contention for the county commissioners.
''It leaves us vulnerable for anyone to come in and provide service,'' Shupe said.
Shupe said most of the land in the economic development district is in the county's water and wastewater service area. The county does not have jurisdiction over whether the townships join the district, Shupe said.
Shupe said the county first learned of the contract wording regarding the service after Fairfield County Utilities Director Tony Vogel reviewed the draft contract.
''He found there was no language protecting the service area,'' she said.
The commissioners wanted the contract revised to state the JEDD area ''is intended to be served by the Fairfield County Utilities as it is in their current service area.''
Shupe and Vogel said they met resistance from some city and township officials who objected to having the language changed.
Lancaster Mayor Dave Smith sent an e-mail to officials and representatives in the JEDD communities, citing the commissioners' proposed change ''is not necessary and may in fact contradict all the discussions that we have had previously at the JEDD meetings on who has the responsibility for utilities.''
Pickerington City Councilman Jeff Fix agreed with Smith's e-mail in another e-mail to JEDD officials.
Smith said it was his understanding - during six months of discussions leading up to the proposed JEDD - that the county, Canal Winchester and Pickerington serviced the proposed economic development area.
''I didn't see any reason to change anything because the provider would be determined by the property owner or developer,'' Smith said. ''However, today, it sounds like it's (Fairfield County's) area to service.''
Shupe said the issue could've been avoided had the commissioners been let in on the JEDD talks among the townships and towns.
