VERMILION — Vermilion Mayor Russ Owens used Monday night’s City Council meeting to address growing public concern over a proposed wastewater facility, stressing that the project is not being led by the city.
“This is not a Vermilion city project or plant,” Owens said. “This is a Lorain County project.”
Owens said some of the confusion surrounding the proposal appears to stem from social media discussion and the fact that the county project is still in its early stages.
He said Lorain County has made an offer to purchase land on the far eastern side of Vermilion for a potential wastewater reclamation facility, but no confirmed construction timeline has been announced.
According to Owens, the parcel is zoned industrial, a designation that appears to allow public utilities such as a wastewater reclamation facility.
Mayor seeks to clarify city’s role
- The proposed plant is a Lorain County project, not a City of Vermilion project
- The site under discussion is on the far eastern side of Vermilion
- He said he is not aware of confirmed groundbreaking dates for the sewer line work or the plant itself
- Vermilion plans to continue upgrades to its own wastewater plant regardless
County project still in early stages
Owens said he recently met with residents in the Shady Lake area, along with Ward 5 Councilman Alec Bonawit, and acknowledged that neighbors have raised concerns about the possible location of the facility.
He said the project remains in its early planning stages and that many of the questions residents have can only be answered by Lorain County officials.
“I can only relay what I know and what my understanding of the situation is as of this evening,” Owens said.
Owens added that he is not aware of any confirmed groundbreaking date for the county’s larger west side sewer line work or for the proposed reclamation facility itself. He said those projects appear to have an extended timeline and would not offer near-term help to Vermilion.
Mayor pushes back on odor concerns
Owens also addressed concerns about odor, saying the city’s current wastewater plant has had no logged odor complaints over the past two years, despite homes being located nearby.
He said he has visited Vermilion’s plant multiple times, along with facilities in Erie County and the French Creek plant in Avon Lake, and did not experience offensive odors at those locations. Owens said he has been told odor problems typically happen when a plant is not operating efficiently.
“I would invite anyone who feels otherwise to accompany me there firsthand,” Owens said.
He also said the wooded nature of the proposed site could provide a natural buffer from light, noise and odor for nearby homes.
City says its own plant upgrades will continue
While the county project remains uncertain, Owens said the city will continue moving forward with upgrades to Vermilion’s existing wastewater plant.
He said the administration plans to present an update on capital improvements and future priorities at the April 20 Utilities Committee meeting. Wastewater Superintendent Dan Hall is expected to attend and answer questions.
Owens said those improvements will move forward regardless of what happens with the county proposal.