Tnl-News.com - OSU health study recommends mediation

By DENISE R. FREELAND

News Leader Staff Writer

A preliminary health study conducted by Ohio State University College of Public Health personnel found no indication of abnormal health problems in the Minerva area or of dangerous emissions from the AluminumOne plant in Minerva's Industrial Park.

"Our opinion is that any funds the village dedicates to this issue might go toward a mediation effort between citizens affected by the plant's emissions and the plant managers, to attempt to reconcile their opposing viewpoints," the report concluded.

Village Administrator David Harp presented the report at Minerva Village Council's regular meeting, May 13, noting that council will need time to decide what its next step will be.

The study analyzed reports of air sampling conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, toxic release inventory data for AluminumOne, and summary health data for Stark, Carroll and Columbiana counties, as well as Ohio as a whole.

The OSHA air-sampling results found levels of manganese, copper, iron oxide, zinc oxide and lead to be below the Permissable Exposure Limit. Other metals sampled for were absent. Ohio EPA air-sampling data showed levels of volatile organic compounds below established health limits.

The report stated that the U.S. EPA toxic-release data for AluminumOne and other Minerva plants show "relatively low emissions," compared to industries in other parts of the state.

A comparison of cancer rates in Carroll, Stark and Columbiana counties showed a "slightly higher rate" of trachea, bronchus and lung cancers in Carroll County, which the report suggested was possibly linked to the county's "higher prevalence of smoking than the state as a whole." Otherwise, cancer rates in the three counties are very similar to each other's and the state as a whole.

Mayor James Waller, Harp, and Chamber and Economic Development Executive Director Larry Kosiba recently met with Aluminum-One management regarding residents' complaints about bad odors coming from the plant, Harp said. The company is "still looking for a solution," he said, adding that he has asked Councilman Gary Ruff to serve as council's representative and to meet with AluminumOne management twice a month for the foreseeable future to convey residents' concerns and keep track of improvements at the plant.

Waller reported that improvements suggested by consultant Larry Boxall to make AluminumOne "neighbor friendly," have all been addressed, except for the installation of monitors on the stacks. Those will be installed in July when the furnaces are shut down for a week.

Council approved a motion to remove the equipment from the skate park in Municipal Park. Children have torn up the equipment, Waller said, and it is "an eyesore," in addition to being dangerous, due to exposed nails and screws.

"We hate to do that, but we just can't take a chance on somebody getting hurt," Waller said. "It's just taken a couple of months (for the equipment to be damaged beyond repair), and it's a shame, because there are a lot of kids who enjoy going down there and using (the skate park)."

The village will continue to pursue the purchase of more durable concrete or steel equipment, Waller added.

Harp announced that the Firemen's Pool will open Saturday, May 31, and council passed a motion to not charge admission that day.

Service Director Steve Jackson reported he is sending out letters to residents who violate the nuisance ordinance and those who blow grass into streets. He also asked that residents holding garage sales not put signs on telephone poles.

In other business, council:

* AUTHORIZED Harp to enter into a contract with the successful bidder for refuse collection for the village's municipal operations.

* AUTHORIZED Harp to enter into an agreement with Southway Fence Company to replace approximately 250 feet of guardrail along Market Street at a cost not to exceed $8,150.

* APPROVED a resolution adopting policies and procedures governing credit-card use by village employees. The policy was adopted on the recommendation of the state auditor, Harp said, and contains a number of regulations, including a stipulation that employees who must use a credit card will sign a credit-card user agreement and sign out the card.

* ENTERED into executive session to discuss the possible acquisition of land. No action was taken upon reconvening.