An engineering firm has been hired by the Niles Township Board of Trustees to do work on the township’s failed well.

Township Clerk Terry Eull said Merritt Engineering, of Stevensville, will get technical specifications and develop the request for proposal document for a project to replace the township’s No. 3 well at Fulkerson Park.Trustees approved the company to do the work at a cost of $15,900 at Monday’s regular meeting.

The well has been down for more than a year after customers reported sand in their water. An examination of the well — one of three main wells in the township — found that it had deteriorated to the point where it was pumping sand and water, and needs to be replaced.

Once Merritt Engineering creates the request for proposal, it will be sent to businesses that will then bid on the work.

Merritt Engineering will also act as the township’s engineer to make sure the work is done correctly.

Also Monday:

• Township trustees hired Nancy Lamore to work as a substitute crossing guard at the corner of Fulkerson and South 13th streets during morning and afternoon school drop-off and pick-up times at Brandywine Elementary School.

“They direct traffic, stop cars and make sure kids get safely across,” said Eull.

Crossing guards, which are supplied by the township, are paid $25 every time they work.

• Township trustees were updated on the Park Board’s spending of approximately $4,000 on equipment for area parks, including new benches at North Fireman’s Park, a basketball hoop at Samson Park and other items.