City replaces waterline

by Natalie Myers
Staff Writer

Nelsonville City Council members debated issues ranging from fixing a waterline to an overpopulation of cats at last night's regular meeting.

Council passed an ordinance allocating $63,550 of the city’s water fund to replace the waterline along state Route 278. Councilman Greg Smith said the water leaking from the waterline is substantial, and the city is losing about $60,000 because of the water leak. Construction will begin as soon as possible.

The loss of water is a problem for apartment buildings along the road. Residents do not have enough water to take a shower or use their washing machines, Smith said. The lack of water supplying fire hydrants also is a safety issue.

The waterline is old and rusted, Smith said. Layers of patches cover previous leaks. And because the line lies below the water table, it is undetectable by listening devices, which could identify new leaks.

Another city construction project begins today. Work on the Honor Roll Monument in Nelsonville Commons Park will end before its dedication on Memorial Day. The monument honors men and women presently serving in the armed forces, Councilman Charlie Pancake said.

In other news, ITM, a telemarketing business firm based in Coshocton, has confirmed it will move to the Nelsonville area in June. The firm will provide 50 to 100 jobs and wages ranging from $9 to $13 per hour, Pancake said.

Council members also discussed Nelsonville’s cat population. An increasing number of cats have caused concerns about sanitation for residents – particularly those on Madison Street, Councilman Bill Wend said.

Because city code classifies cats as wild animals, the city cannot pass an enforcement policy to catch them, City Manager Mark Fiorello said. The county health department is the only entity that can remove them – and only if the felines are creating an odor problem.