After last year’s village-wide water ban, Middlefield officials say the situation has improved significantly.
After last year’s village-wide water ban, Middlefield officials say the situation has improved significantly.
“I see no water issue this year,” Mayor Ben Garlich told village council at its July 10 meeting.
A water ban—approved by ordinance on Sept. 19, 2024,—restricted nonessential water uses like watering lawns, washing siding and filling pools, due to low levels in the village’s two original wells. It remained in place until winter snowmelt replenished the supply, Garlich said in a telephone interview July 11.
“There were a lot of dry lawns and dead flowers,” Garlich said.
Utilities Director Joe Tucholski said spring rains and snowmelt helped, but the real improvement came when a third well went online a few months ago.
“We were behind the eight-ball getting (well number) three done,” Garlich said at the meeting. “We put that third well on and it helped tremendously.”
Tucholski explained that well levels are measured by the depth needed to reach water. “We had to go 68 feet down to touch water,” he said, referring to the new well.
Once it was operational, well number two’s water level rose significantly. The distance to touch water went from 63 feet to 50 feet, he said.
“A lot comes from the amount of rest those wells get, because we are using well number three,” Tucholski added, noting a fourth well is already planned.
That fourth well, located behind the former BFG plant on state Route 87 in Burton Township, yielded 700 gallons per hour during a 24-hour test and is now under construction.
Garlich said the water crisis caused by the 2024 drought was unforeseen but added the village could not have that happen again, so another well is essential for the growing community.
“We can’t ever get behind the curve,” he said. “It burns out employees and we have unhappy residents.”
Senior Living Projects Progressing
Council also heard from Anderson Ohman Sr., of Ohman Family Living, who gave an update on the company’s growing presence in the village.
OFL purchased the former A.J. Jordak Elementary School for $2.2 million on June 7 and has plans to convert the building into 72 senior apartments. The lower level will house public vendors.
“Our desire is to continue with our independent living campus,” Ohman said, mentioning plans for a restaurant, fitness center, salon and barbershop open to the public.
Just around the corner at the intersection of Tare Creek Parkway and North State Avenue, OFL’s 24-unit independent living community, The Cottages, is nearing completion.
“We have 10 cottages leased and six more strong considerations,” Ohman said. “We have a real mixture of people … which is what we want.”
He noted residents include both retirees and those still working in their 70s.
Under new business, council approved the site plan for the first phase of the Heritage Pointe development—39 homes as part of a larger 209-home planned unit development south of the Walmart on Lake Avenue.
