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

See Full Page