ASHLAND — The closest views of the city’s sewer lines come at a cost.
Ashland lawmakers on Tuesday evening approved the purchase of equipment for the wastewater division with a price tag of $420,000.
Mayor Matt Miller said the purchase involves a 2026 T-250 Ford transit vehicle equipped with closed-circuit TV imaging equipment and technology.
The city purchased a similar vehicle in 2015, but issues with both that vehicle and technology became prevalent shortly afterward.
“Nonetheless, we’ve had it (2015 vehicle) for more than 10 years,” Miller said. “In the last seven years alone we’ve put nearly $74,000 worth of repairs into the vehicle. But it’s too important of a piece of equipment to not have one that we can rely on and that has the latest technology.”
The transit vehicle is equipped with a variety of cameras capable of being sent through the city’s sewer lines, the mayor said. The cameras and imagery technology come at a high cost, accounting for more than half of the purchase price.
The mayor said the equipment will be paid for out of the city’s wastewater division fund, which has enough in its balance to make the purchase.
“These cameras can be sent down, even in water, to deliver full color photos of what’s going on, where our system has been compromised, where there might be a clog and what it is and so on,” Miller said.
“It really does give them a view that nothing else can give you, this new technology.”
The new, fully-equipped vehicle should be delivered in spring 2027, according to the mayor.
The Environmental Protection Agency over the next five to 10 years is requiring Ashland to photo/video all of the city’s sewer lines, so Miller said the approved purchase will be used nearly every day.
The vehicle purchased in 2015 will be kept by the wastewater division as a backup. Should it become more problematic to keep it than to not, the city would likely move forward with selling the vehicle via GovDeals.
MORE ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL COVERAGE
More items to note from Tuesday’s meeting:
- Over the next several months, the city will consider raising the sanitation rate — the rate for trash and recycling services in Ashland. He said the city’s rates are very competitive in comparison to the private sector, but costs continue to rise. If a raise were to come, it would likely occur on or after Jan. 1, 2027. Even with a rate increase, Miller said the cost to residents will still be less than those of notable sanitation service providers in the area.
- The mayor said the use of fluoride in Ashland’s water is expected to stop Friday. The stoppage is not the result of any city-made decision, he said, but rather Ashland’s supply will be empty effective Friday. Miller said the city is unable to get any fluoride currently due to the situation in the Middle East, causing vendors to be unable to secure the amount needed. He is unsure of what comes next, but Ashland has contacted various state agencies to let them know what’s happening. It will not impact the quality or taste of city water, Miller emphasized.
- Ashland now has a winter salt contract, but it won’t be available until Jan. 15, 2027, Miller said. Ashland will receive 6,000 tons of salt at a rate of $91.45 per ton. Last year, the city paid $58 per ton, the mayor said. The Ohio Department of Transportation has agreed to provide the city with salt until Jan. 15 if needed, as long as Ashland replenishes what it may use once its salt is delivered.
- Efforts are ongoing at Brookside Pool to prepare for next season, including draining, sandblasting, repairs and fresh paint.
- Smith Paving and Excavating will be the contractor for a paved multi-use pedestrian path along U.S. 250. A start date has not been announced, Miller said, but more should be known within a few weeks.
- The pre-engineered building that will be housed on the site of Ashland Public Transit’s new HQ should arrive at 303 Union St. in November.
Ashland City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month, except August, at 7 p.m. Meetings take place at 206 Claremont Ave. on the third floor of the Municipal Building and can be streamed live online via the city’s Facebook and YouTube.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is set for Oct. 6 at 7 p.m.
