By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
An emergency meeting for the Jefferson Township Board of Trustees took place Wednesday over issues residents have been having with their wells since the dewatering part of the construction project at the Sleep Inn hotel off of Ohio 598 began.
Jefferson Township trustees were first made aware of the issues during their regular June meeting when two residents, along with their representative Howard Morrow, explained what was happening at the site and with the development. The biggest concern was that an aquifer has been breached and fresh water supplying the local resident’s wells has the potential of being contaminated.
Morrow explained what drew his attention to the site for a potential problem.
“I was driving by and I seen (sic) gravel and water coming up. Working in construction all my life I knew it was the aquifer,” Morrow explained.
With the dewatering project taking place at the site of the hotel build, a few of the Jefferson Township residents have experienced issues with their wells.
During the dewatering phase of the project Stephen Eidt reported that his well had reduced by more than a foot. F.R. Cramblett, Jane Haas, and Bill Bowin each experienced a loss of pressure in their wells, and Mike Swick reported his water became grey in color.
During Wednesday’s meeting, Eidt noted that his well gained five inches of water in between meetings.
In an emergency meeting on July 7, the trustees passed a resolution requesting a temporary restraining order of the project until state agencies that monitor drainage, storm water, and quality and quantity of fresh water could be on site to investigate the work that is being done on a daily basis in order to assure that all permits are in order and no laws are being broken.
After getting legal counsel, township fiscal officer Kathleen Weber reported during Wednesday’s meeting that the attorneys had advised her to not seek the temporary restraining order because of court costs and the fact that Ohio state law forbids townships from spending tax monies on legal problems that do not directly involve the whole township.
Kathleen Weber explained her problems with the project.
“First off, we are all for the project happening, due to dual jurisdiction we would see revenue from the hotel as well, but we don’t want it done at the cost of the health and safety of our residents,” Kathleen Weber said. “There are two separate problems that funnel into the larger problem. The first is due to being a dual jurisdiction between Jefferson Township and Galion they took on as managers of the project. There was never an agreement on who. While they should be the managers, there was never an official agreement. Also, being a dual jurisdiction, and having residents in the jurisdiction, we want to be sure that the project is being done properly.”
“My second issue is the quantity of water being used, and the quality of water for our residents for future use after the project is complete.”
Matthew Weber noted that he was in contact with the EPA, Crawford County Board of Health, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Matthew Weber noted that his findings from the organizations along with the reported issues of the residents will be taken to County Prosecutor Matthew Crall.
Weber noted that his findings will be presented at the next Jefferson Township meeting at 7 p.m. on July 25.