East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway said he hopes the $22 million Norfolk Southern is paying the village will go towards infrastructure, economic development and community projects, but ultimately it's up to council.

"We have to make sure this money lasts," Conaway said, "And we want to make sure that we do the best we can to make sure the village sustains itself."

Regarding long-term health concerns, He said the village has been working "behind the scenes" with the DOJ and the state of Ohio to ensure they will be handled if there are future issues.

Conaway also addressed why the village is no longer building a new regional training center. He said it's unfeasible.

"We felt it would have placed an unsustainable burden on our village," he said. 

He reiterated that this settlement does not impact the individual class action settlement payments which are separate, and said "it's ridiculous" that those payments haven't gone out yet to residents.

"I think it's totally ridiculous. I don't think this is a Norfolk Southern problem" he added, "From what I've understood, all the money's there. This is just an administration problem from the people that are administrating this."

Tammy Tsai of East Palestine said she still feels in the dark regarding health concerns and that her family is moving away because of it.

"This wasn't the thing I wanted to do. I mean this has been my home for 30 years," Tsai said, "If people are continuously exposed to this over time, it's going to affect them health-wise, and it's not right."