Columbia Gas replacing piping in Fostoria

FOSTORIA — Fostoria will have a near-constant presence of Columbia Gas and its contractor, Miller Pipeline, for the next few months.A pipeline-replacement project got underway Tuesday, with plans being to install approximately 7,700 feet of new plastic piping that will serve about 130 properties along North, Center, Tiffin, South, Crocker, Union, Main and Findlay streets, as well as Columbus Avenue and various alleyways.Following up on information mailed to residents in the affected areas, Megan Hunyor, senior public affairs specialist for Columbia Gas, addressed Fostoria City Council Tuesday night, with her talk doubling as a virtual public meeting."Essentially, what we're doing is part of a 25-year state initiative to update all of the infrastructure in the state," she said.Hunyor said the project will have several benefits, including greater safety and less maintenance.She said while Columbus Avenue work will be completed in a little more than a week, the project as a whole is planned for about three months.Hunyor noted that Columbia Gas will make good on any sidewalk or driveway restoration that is necessary, and residents with mobility or health concerns should call 216-695-9214.Council passed six measures Wednesday night, including one that will allow Director of Finance Steve Dandurand to pursue the purchase of a new street sweeper. Safety Service Director Eric Keckler recently told council that a new street sweeper and parts is needed, with the current sweeper having been in use for 10 years. He said the purchase would cost about $350,000.Also related to finances, council passed an amendment to its 2025 Financial Recovery Plan as the city continues to work toward escaping the state's designation of the city as being in fiscal emergency. The amendment reports on the current financial situation, which Dandurand said is currently sound.Council also passed measures that allow for $20,000 to be taken from the Fire Donations Fund for contractual services and equipment and for $103,050 to go from the General Fund toward various purchases, including that of a new street sweeper.Other approved measures included the vacation of an alley in the city's fourth ward bounded to the north by railroad tracks and to the south by Bulger Avenue, and the conveyance of a small parcel of land in the vicinity of Ohio Avenue from the city to the Seneca County Land Reutilization Corporation.Keckler noted that signage at the intersection of Tiffin and Main streets indicating that the intersection is under assessment is temporary and that its planned change from having a light to four-way stop signs is pending council's approval of legislation.Keckler also said the use of a $1.1 million forestry grant that was secured in 2023 has begun with the hiring of certified arborists from the Davey Resource Group to conduct a tree inventory. A notice issued by the city said residents should not be alarmed by seeing people wearing neon safety vests and carrying handheld computers, and their work is "an important step in building and maintaining a healthy, sustainable urban forest."The notice adds: "The inventory will help us better manage our trees, plan for future planting and ensure our community enjoys the many benefits trees provide for years to come."City council member Alex Grine accepted council President Brian Shaver's appointment of him to the city's newly created park board.