photo by: Joselyn King

Bethlehem Mayor Matt Saseen, from left, Mike Gianni, president of James White Construction, and Kenny Whorton of HP Excavating show one of the waterline insertion valves being installed in the village.

WHEELING — The village of Bethlehem has spent more than $300,000 in American Rescue Plan Act dollars to purchase new waterline shut off valves that should keep the community’s water system flowing in the event of a break or similar emergency.

A total of 24 insertion-type valves have been installed throughout the village, and their placement assures that the entire water system won’t have to be shut down in the event of a waterline break, explained Mayor Matt Saseen.

The valves were purchased from and installed by James White Construction, with the ground dug up and backfilled by HP Excavating.

The village had received $900,000 in ARPA funds in 2020. When Sassen took over as mayor in November 2023, he discovered the money had yet to be directed to any project.

“The stipulations clearly outlined that this money must be earmarked by the end of 2024 through third-party contractors with signed legal contracts in place,” he explained. “Additionally, the projects under contract must be completed by the end of 2025.

“If these deadlines (are) not met, then the money must be given back to the federal government. This money was required to be spent on infrastructure and water systems.”

Saseen noted allocation of the funding became his top priority as mayor.

“I did not want to see the village lose out on such a phenomenal opportunity to upgrade and repair multiple problems within the village,” he said.

“Council and I immediately took action to create a list of what we felt were the most important problems and pieces of infrastructure in the village that needed addressed.”

Bethlehem’s leaders decided they first wanted to control the village’s water system as many of the waterline valves in the village were inoperable, according to Saseen.

“We were unable to effectively control crucial sections within the village’s water system if or whenever water breaks or emergencies occurred,” he continued. “Next, we wanted to get the additional 200,000 gallon water tank back in service which sits on Sugar Lane.

“Lastly, there was roughly 250 feet of hillside that was slipping in Community Park behind the baseball field that was taking one of the Village’s main sewer lines with it, and it needed addressed. Aside from these three projects, we have allocated money from this fund to address storm water infrastructure, conduct major upgrades to the Community and Village Baseball Fields, and restore what was a dilapidated putt putt course in Community Park.”

The installation of the insertion valves was the first project completed, with others on track for completion by the end of 2025, according to Saseen.

Saseen added he worked with Jack Tush, the engineering consultant for the village, to determine which areas would benefit from new shut-off valves. Tush suggested that insertion valves be used as the system wouldn’t have to be shut down during their installation, resulting in no interruptions to water customers.

Kenny Whorton of HP Excavating previously had been a long-time employee of the village, and is very familiar with its waterlines. Saseen calls him his “right hand man” when it comes to infrastructure in Bethlehem.

During the excavation process, Whorton was able to identify any weak areas in the system for repair before the valves were installed, he said.

Mike Gianni, president of James White Construction, explained the insertion valves are made of ductile iron and should last indefinitely.

“It is a great pleasure of mine to be able to have the opportunity to bring positive change and long-term infrastructure assets like this to the village of Bethlehem,” Saseen said. “I am a firm believer that you must always leave something better than you found it. As we progress into the winter, I look forward to bringing more exciting announcements and updates for our community.”