By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green is set to benefit from a pipeline buried on city-owned property and antennae put high on its water towers.
The Bowling Green Board of Utilities learned Monday that Nexus Gas Transmission wants a 50-foot permanent easement and a two-year temporary easement to install the Nexus natural gas line on city acreage located north of Bowling Green.
The gas line is making its way from southeastern Ohio to Canada, and has the power of eminent domain, explained Brian O’Connell, director of public utilities for Bowling Green.
The 29 acres owned by the city are located in Middleton Township, a few miles east of the city water plant. The installation of the pipeline would have no impact on the operation of the water plant, O’Connell said. The city has no long-term plans for the property.
The acreage is rented out for farming right now, which will have to be halted during the construction of the pipeline.
The pipeline company will pay $9 per foot for the permanent easement, plus $25 per foot of damaged farm tile. That will add up to at least $151,000. An estimated four acres of the entire site will be affected by the pipeline.
The board of utilities approved the easement.
The board also approved two lease agreements with Amplex Electric Inc. Amplex is an internet service provider in Northwest Ohio. The company wants to use city water tower space to mount antennae, and will pay $250 a month for each attachment.
Amplex plans to put three antennae on the Newton Road water tower and one on the west side tower near Sand Ridge Road. That adds up to $1,000 a month.
The company has also requested to use fiber optic cable owned by the city, O’Connell said. That lease would be for $90 a month per mile of cable being used – or $1,584 a month.
The antennae income will go to the water department, and the fiber optic lease income will go to the electric department, O’Connell said.
Also at Monday’s meeting, the Board of Public Utilities requested supplemental appropriations to the electric fund for purchased power.
“We experienced higher than anticipated power supply costs due to the hot weather experienced this summer, which resulted in higher than projected energy purchases,” O’Connell explained.
The city had projected to use close to $47 million in electricity, but instead used close to $49 million. So City Council will be asked for a supplemental appropriation of $2,015,000.
Elizabeth Wick presents award to Doug Clark.
In other business, Doug Clark was presented an award from the Ohio Water Environment Association by Elizabeth Wick, past president of the organization.
Clark, head of Bowling Green’s water pollution control division, was recognized for his professionalism, his communication skills and his commitment to staff education.
