City asked to maintain Eastgate sewers

FINDLAY — Findlay has been asked to take over the maintenance of a sewer system for an addition on the city's east side. Sanitary sewers for the Eastgate subdivision, on U.S. 224, along Hickory Lane, are currently maintained by the Hancock County Board of Commissioners. In a letter dated Dec. 19 addressed to Mayor Christina Muryn, the Hancock County commissioners asked the city to take over the operation of the 15-unit sanitary system. According to the county's letter, the system is already collected, treated and billed directly to the owners by the city. The county is only responsible for the maintenance. The county asked the city to take over the operation of the system in 1991, when it began maintaining it, with no response, according to the letter. "We have continued to operate and maintain that system through plumbing contractors since that time and have collected minor assessments until 2021," the commissioners said. "After careful thought and consideration, we have concluded that this system would be better managed by an entity that normally handles operation and maintenance of sewage systems like Eastgate." The county would transfer ownership, along with operation and maintenance duties, to Findlay. Findlay City Council's Water and Sewer Committee is expected to discuss the request at a meeting set for 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Findlay Municipal Building, 318 Dorney Plaza. All committee meetings are open to the public and are livestreamed on the city's YouTube channel: Findlay Ohio. The committee is also expected to review capital projects scheduled for the West Park subdivision. Residents there have been lobbying the city for improvements to their sewer system. Service Safety Director Rob Martin said city administrators have reviewed documents supplied by the county explaining the current condition and expected costs associated with repairing the Eastgate system. "The system presents challenges that may be resolved by a few different options at varying price points," said Martin in a letter of response dated Jan. 31. He said the original agreement stipulates the county is responsible for the repair and maintenance of the system up to the point of connection with the city's main sanitary line.