New Albany seeks water deal, goal to annex Licking acreage.(Columbus, 13-year-old water-and-sewer service territory agreement)

Columbus and New Albany have cast their attention to expanding into Licking County even as they seek to adjust the boundaries of their 13-year-old water-and-sewer service territory agreement in northeast Franklin County.

New Albany, which gets its water and sewer service from Columbus, wants to gain exclusive water-and-sewer service rights so it can annex 1,500 acres in Jersey Township, east of the village.

"The intent is to develop and improve the village's income tax base," said Joseph Stefanov, village administrator. "It's in our best interest to bring Licking County into the picture so we have an ability to serve it in the future."

Stefanov said he knows of no immediate plans to extend the village boundaries into Jersey, which abuts New Albany north of Route 161.

"It would depend upon the opportunities presented to the village," he said, noting the village's master plan does not extend outside Plain Township. "If we stumbled upon a large corporate tenant, we'd take a look."

Extension of …