CENTERBURG — At the Centerburg Village Council meeting Tuesday evening, Hilliar Township resident Janet Stroud presented her concerns about the proposed village wastewater treatment plant. The treatment facility is tentatively planned to be built south of Centerburg, outside the village limits.

Stroud said she sent a letter to Village Solicitor Kyle Stroh about the issue, which was unanswered. Stroud read a portion of the letter, in which she questioned the authority of council to authorize the construction of the wastewater treatment facility.

“After doing some homework, I found that there is an article in the Ohio Revised Code that speaks to a village’s right to make land purchases behind closed doors. However, I am unclear where it says that the village has the right to put a sewer treatment plant out in the township where the land is not part of the village, and I wanted that addressed,” she said.

Stroh responded to Stroud’s concerns, and apologized for not getting back with her in a timely manner. He defended the village’s plans to build a wastewater treatment plant at the proposed location.

“Under the Ohio Revised Code, there is not a specific section that says that we can [build a wastewater treatment plant], but there’s no section that says we can’t,” said Stroh.

Furthermore, said Stroh, the village proceeded with its acquisition of land for the proposed wastewater treatment plant with research and input from the village engineer.

“We don’t want that [facility] in our township,” said Stroud, referring to the wastewater treatment plant. Stroh responded by saying that the proposed location is geographically ideal.

“Part of this is driven by gravity,” Stroh said, referring to location of the proposed facility.

“The township really doesn’t have authority over the village,” said Stroh.

Stroud asked if this meant the village had the authority to do whatever it wanted in the township.

“That’s what I want specifics on,” she said, adding that she wanted a written statement from Stroh explaining how the village has the authority to build a wastewater treatment plant in the township.

Stroh advised council not to instruct him to draft a legal memo to Stroud as it would simply cost the village additional money.

“I would not advise spending the village residents’ taxpayer dollars to advise a non-resident on a legal issue,” he said.

Mayor George Shaw said perhaps it would be helpful to have a public meeting where all of the experts on the proposed wastewater treatment plant could be present, and questions and concerns of residents could be addressed. It was agreed this meeting would tentatively be held Saturday, Oct. 11, at 9 a.m.

Resident Ellen Scott spoke to council at the previous month’s meeting concerning construction of a deck at Shaw’s residence.

“The concern I have is regarding a public official using his position to his advantage,” said Scott on Tuesday.

According to Scott, it took Shaw three days to cease construction after she contacted the village administration to inquire whether Shaw had the appropriate building permits. Scott concluded her statement by asking council to follow the recommendations given by the village zoning board, which includes the construction of a 6-foot fence between Scott’s property and Shaw’s property.

A third resident, Dave Beck, addressed council representing the Knox County Park District, and asked it to pass a resolution supporting the 0.35-mill levy that will be on the ballot in November. Council later unanimously approved a resolution supporting the park district levy.