By: Jacob Kessler
The Fulton County Commissioners held their first meeting of the week on Tuesday, November 29th.
The meeting began at 9:00 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer.
Commissioners first moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting held on November 22nd as well as the current agenda and list of bills for payment.
A review then took place regarding the Ohio Unemployment Rate Report for October 2022 before moving on to approve the following items.
– Resolution 2022-832 for the increase and transfer of appropriations for various departments.
– Resolution 2022-833 to advertise for bids for 2023 construction materials on behalf of the Fulton County engineer.
– Resolution 2022-834 to enter into Rental Agreement 2022-113 with the Village of Archbold on behalf of the senior center.
– Resolution 2022-835 to authorize draw #1 for the Ohio Department of Development Brownfield Grant ODSA-2022-190686-Britsch.
– Resolution 2022-836 to authorize draw #1 for the Ohio Department of Development Brownfield Grant ODSA-2022-190688-Eagle Pitcher.
– Resolution 2022-837 to approve Change Order #1-Final & Pay Request #4-Final to Gerken Paving, Inc for the 2022 County Asphalt Resurfacing Program.
– Resolution 2022-838 to approve purchase orders and travel requests.
Commissioners then moved to enter into recess at 9:06 a.m. and returned at 9:17 a.m.
Upon their return, Commissioners heard from Rich Gabel and Deb Gabel regarding Country Road 10 truck traffic.
Mr. Gabel stated that there is an issue with the speed and destruction that happens on Country Road 10 which has been resurfaced several times now.
He also stated that, when you go North, you have to go down the middle of the road or off to the side to avoid ruts and that they have been dealing with this for the past couple of years.
Letter have been sent to the commissioners, state reps, governor, newspapers, tv and others.
He continued on and stated that the trucks start around 3:18 a.m. and with their house being so close to the road, you can hear them coming and that they are at their wits end.
“We are just asking to basically be respected and our way of life out there to be respected,” said Mr. Gabel.
Deb Gabel also spoke and stated that they have gone from the township to the county who sent them back to the state, who then sent them back to the township who says there is nothing they are able to do.
Commissioner Jon Rupp spoke next and stated that he has the letters they have written and that he has responded before.
“We know what is going on and we have tried different things,” said Jon Rupp. He continued on stating that he has sat out at the corner of County Road 10 and watched the trucks in the morning.
Commissioner Jon Rupp also expressed that they understand what they are saying but that he does not know what they could change according to the law that would help.
“We are being responsive to your needs but there is not a lot we can do otherwise we would be.”
Commissioner Jeff Rupp then explained that the county maintains a portion of County Road 10 for two miles then Township Road for two miles and so on.
This was confusing so they left it County Road 10 to keep it uniform. Commissioner Jon Rupp then said that it is tough on the township too due to having all the industry come in and increase the traffic.
Even with all of that, they still have to maintain the township road with their regular tax payer dollars.
Commissioner Jeff Rupp then asked the County Engineer Frank Onweller if there is anything that can be done and if there are any restrictions available regarding trucks or putting in a new speed limit.
Mr. Onweller said no, that neither the township nor the county has the authority to establish truck routes like a municipality does.
“We have been advised legally that we cannot create truck routes, prohibit trucks or discriminate.”
“Signs saying such throughout the county and the township have been removed due to them being unenforceable.”
Onweller also explained that in order to change the speed on Country Road 10, there would have to be a speed study and it would be up to ODOT to determine if there needs to be a speed reduction.
Commissioner Jon Rupp then stated that they have done about all they can do.
Commissioner Jeff Rupp followed up and stated that they can try to reach back out to Gerken Paving but there is nothing they can guarantee.
The meeting was then adjourned at 9:50 a.m.
Commissioners held their second meeting of the week on Thursday, December 1st. The meeting began at 9:00 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer.
The minutes from the November 29th meeting and current agenda were then approved.
A review took place next regarding correspondence from the Ohio Department of Health with respect to the 2023 CMH maximum financial liability, before moving on to approve the following agenda items.
– Resolution 2022-841 for the increase and transfer of appropriations for various departments.
– Resolution 2022-842 to cancel the session scheduled for December 8, 2022.
– Resolution 2022-843 to approve an increase to Contract 2019-104 with Allied Waste Services on behalf of Public Utilities.
– Resolution 2022-844 to approve Draw #6 to CDBG Grant for Demolition and General Administration-Grant B-F-21-1AX-1.
– Resolution 2022-845 to approve Change Order #1-Final and Pay Request #3-Final to Contract 2022-58 with Ward Construction for the 2022 Seal Coat Program.
– Resolution 2022-847 to approve purchase orders and travel requests.
Following the approval of agenda items, Commissioners held the first hearing for Ditch 2148 – Barclay before then moving to adjourn the meeting.
Jacob can be reached at jacob@thevillagereporter.com