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Bridgeport to purchase water from Ferry

BRIDGEPORT — The village of Bridgeport finalized an agreement with the city of Martins Ferry on Tuesday to purchase water after contaminants were found in the village’s wells.

On Tuesday, Village Council voted in favor of allowing Mayor Norma Teasdale to sign the water purchase agreement with the city at a rate of $2.85 per 1,000 gallons. On average, Bridgeport uses around 500,000 gallons per day.

Last summer the village was forced to shut down its water source after the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency discovered that two of five of the village’s wells tested positive for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

In order to provide enough water to the village, a temporary pump was installed between Bridgeport and Martins Ferry.

The village successfully completed the waterline connection at a temporary building on Second Street earlier this month.

Plans to construct a permanent building are underway.

Village Solicitor Michael Shaheen read the contract during Tuesday’s meeting. He said parties from the city and the village have reviewed and signed the document. He said there is no minimum amount of purchase for the agreement.

Shaheen said the rate that Martins Ferry is charging the village is a “reasonable amount.” He added that the village is grateful for the city aiding the village with its water supply.

“We appreciate the arrangement that the city of Martins Ferry has been willing to afford us. In these times, it’s nice to have a local community want to cooperate and help us in this situation,” he said.

Council unanimously voted to approve the signing of the contract.

Teasdale said it is unclear at this point if an increase in rates for individual customers of the village water department will be necessary.

The issue will be discussed at a later meeting once the water board has had a chance to meet.

Chuck Husted, president of the water board, also spoke at the meeting. He said the village has been connected to the city’s water for the past two weeks. He said the next step is for the village water department to perform quality and chemical testing.

Husted then brought up the issue of pay raises for water department employees. He said they have not had a raise in three years. He said the issue has been under discussion for more than a year with no resolution.

In order for the village to allow for a pay increase for the department, the department will have to determine where it stands with its water revenue, Shaheen said.

“If we can show that you have more revenue, then we can go to them (state auditor’s office) and say, ‘Hey, it’s not going to cost anything, we can remain budget neutral,'” he said.

Husted said the raises were supposed to be included in the temporary budget appropriations but were not.

Councilwoman Michelle Bennington-Lucarelli said that due to the village being in a state of fiscal emergency, the water department will have to figure out a way for it to remain budget neutral.

“Because we’re in this emergency and the state is telling us what we can and what we can’t do, what are you willing to give up to make that budget neutral so that you can do the raises? That’s what it comes down to,” she said.

Shaheen added that the village is unable to alter the Financial Recovery Plan that was approved last week by the Financial Planning and Supervision Commission.

Husted said he will review the water department’s budget and see if there is anything that can be adjusted to make room for raises.

Council will next meet at 6 p.m. April 13 at the municipal building. The building is now open to the public after being closed due to coronavirus concerns.

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