The cost to save Zoar

But it's was worth it!

From the 4/15/08 edition of the Times Reporter

Work at levee cost more than $1 million
ZOAR, OH —

Mayor Larry Bell told Village Council recently the cost to shore the Zoar levee was $1.1 million. He said 37,000 tons of material were trucked in to stop soil from passing though the levee – not to stop the water.

Fiscal Officer Patty Smith said Monday that the cost is paid by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

At the meeting, Bell informed council about the recent flooding and all that was learned from the Army Corps of Engineers. He presented topography maps showing flood water elevations.

From March 23 until the job was finished about 170 truckloads of material was taken to the village each day.

Bell spoke with Patty Levengood, director of the Tuscarawas County Homeland Security & Emergency Management Agency, about extra costs to the village for extra police coverage because of the trucks coming across the levee and the spectators. He said Levengood was able to find additional funds to help pay for the police.

According to village officials, Bolivar police worked about 57 additional hours at a cost of about $1,400. The bill will be paid through the state Disaster Relief Program.

Smith said the U.S. Corps hired additional flaggers because of the truck traffic and spectators going to the village.

Bell said the Army Corps had an evacuation plan in place with several volunteers and up to 200 personnel ready to help residents move items to the second floor if it became necessary and with any evacuation, if that would have occurred.

According to Bell a compete study of a permanent fix for the levee will be completed in December 2009. The U.S. Corps will drill relief wells and install improved drainage this summer.

“The levee is good with a good clay core covered with topsoil. The problem is underneath pressure, and the relief wells are intended to relieve that pressure,” Bell said.

He also said village government must consider that potential flooding may become a way of life, and every provision must be taken for the residents. He asked council to write down ideas for possible plans and take them to the May meeting.

A committee should be formed to develop a plan for the village, he said.