PHOTOS BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
HICKORY HILLS … Williams County Engineer Todd Roth discussing funding for the Hickory Hills sewer plant project.
COMMUNICATIONS … Heather Mercer, Director of Communications, addressed the commissioners about the oversight of the emergency communication.
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
Williams County Engineer Todd Roth met with the Williams County Commissioners on Tuesday to discuss the need for approximately $500,000 to upgrade the Hickory Hills sewer plant. He mentioned that the project is nearly ready to go out for bid.
The original estimates for the project were around $602,000. However, they have now increased to $662,000, which includes a 10% contingency fund.
Costs have risen due to electrical upgrades and the potential reconstruction of the road where the plant is situated. These changes have occurred since the initial discussions began in 2021.
Roth hopes the increase is on the high end and that the road may not need to be rebuilt after the project.
“It’s a high number, but I’d rather work with a high number than work with a low number and come back to ask for more money,” said Roth.
Roth has secured $175,000 in grant money for the project; however, the remaining funding must be in place before bids are sought in January.
He noted that there have been previous discussions with the commissioners about allocating funds from the county’s share of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), but a specific amount has not yet been established.
Roth has conducted substantial research; however, aside from the secured grant money, no additional funding is available.
Commissioner Hilkert mentioned that he remembered discussions about a specific dollar amount, but those discussions were put on hold until the extent of secured grant funding could be determined.
Roth provided a copy of the minutes from a previous meeting in which Commissioner Rummel proposed $400,000 in ARPA funding.
The possibility of utilizing some of the county’s cash balance or potentially increasing sewer fees to help cover the costs was discussed.
No decision was made during the meeting, but the commissioners planned to decide at the Thursday meeting.
Also, during Tuesday’s meeting, representatives from various law enforcement agencies and other officials discussed matters with the Williams County Commissioners in the conference room of the East Annex Building.
The meeting was convened after commissioners discussed the possibility of allowing the Williams County Sheriff’s Office to oversee 911 communications.
This topic was initially raised in November during an executive session with Williams County Sheriff Tom Kochert and was revisited on December 10th at the end of a commissioners’ meeting.
No one expressed concerns about the emergency communications being overseen by the sheriff’s office; however, they were worried about how the topic was presented to the commissioners and the poor communication among other agencies in the county.
Heather Mercer, the Director of Communications, was the first to take the podium. “I don’t know when this discussion happened, but it was brought to me last Monday, December 9th, that this was brought up as a discussion that the sheriff wanted to have control over communications and just asked if I had any questions of what that would look like.”
Her main concern was how the major transition would occur, as the data would need to be separated between departments if the oversight changed.
Next to address the commissioners was Edon Police Chief and Williams County Police Chief Association President Thomas Szymczak.
“Since this came up, obviously it’s been a hot topic with us just because, as Heather voiced, we don’t know what it would look like.”
“We missed the third seed on this and I think that was communication, this has not been communicated to us,” said Szymczak.
He stated that no one is arguing against this happening or suggesting that it cannot take place. Instead, they are simply requesting more discussions to gain a better understanding of what the outcome will look like.
Dawn Fitzcharles, the Village Administrator of Edgerton and a resident of the town, was the next speaker at the podium. She expressed her gratitude to the commissioners for the opportunity to address them.
Fitzcharles highlighted that Edgerton has established an excellent relationship with the Williams County Sheriff and his team. “Their support and receptiveness to our community’s needs have been invaluable.”
“However, I must express our concern regarding what feels like an under-the-table process surrounding recent developments with 911 communications,” stated Fitzcharles.
Fitzcharles explained the history of previous dispatch efforts before the county communications system was established.
She noted that when the state mandated the creation of a new 911 board for the Next Gen 911 systems, it required approval from the community.
“I would like to express my concern regarding the limited public discussion leading up to the recent announcement in Saturday’s paper.”
“Presenting a topic for discussion which was not included on the meeting agenda, and which did not have an opportunity for prior public comment, may give the impression that transparency is lacking,” stated Fitzcharles.
“I believe that many of the individuals here today are present because they share a desire for greater community engagement in these important matters,” she said.
Matt Grube, a trustee from Center Township and a current member of the 911 advisory board, expressed his concerns. He believes that while the board is generally open to changes, the timing is problematic.
He pointed out that these changes are being proposed at the last minute, not just in the eleventh month but in the twelfth month as well.
Grube suggested that the commissioners should postpone their decision and engage in discussions for a couple of months before moving forward.
Edgerton Fire Chief, Scott Blue discussed the history of the original 911 Board back in 1989 and how it pretty much dissolved after members just stopped showing up due to them being asked not to participate.
Commissioner Elect Scott Lirot expressed concern about the dispatch system, sharing his experience when his business was robbed.
“They couldn’t fix it back in 1991, but I don’t know that anybody’s tried to fix it since then, I think for someone to come in a meeting, Lew, that’s not even on the agenda to try to make an eleventh hour like Matt said, that’s just wrong in 100 different ways in my mind,” he said.
Commissioner Lew Hilkert addressed the issue, noting that when the sheriff mentioned the possibility of oversight, no progress was made.
On December 10th, since nothing had been accomplished, Hilkert raised the topic again at the end of the meeting and emphasized the need for discussion.
Following some back-and-forth dialogue, he made a motion to transfer the operation to the sheriff; however, he later withdrew that motion.
“As of today, I’m glad I did that because I’ll guarantee you this discussion would not be happening today, that this discussion probably would not be happening six months from now because it always gets put on the back burner,” he said. The sheriff was told the commissioners would take it under advisement.
The Village Manager of Montpelier, Jason Rockey then addressed the commissioners. Rockey expressed that the original discussion was had in the executive session and that he did not feel as though that was an appropriate discussion for the executive session.
“Why wasn’t that made public at that time that the sheriff came forward and requested this to happen in November, and then the first we hear about it is middle to end of December?” Rockey questioned.
Commissioner Hilkert stated that the executive session was initially for discussing personnel matters, but the conversation later expanded to include how Kochert envisioned emergency communications functioning under his supervision.
Rummel apologized, stating that he was the one who motioned for the executive session. He believed it was for personnel matters and was not aware that emergency communications would be part of the discussion.
“I’d like to address the motion made on the 21st. I made the motion for the executive session. I somewhat regret that now because when we go into executive session, we just trust that it’s for this, this, and this.”
“Through that meeting, should I have said, hey, this does not fit into what I made the motion for. I don’t know how to do that, currently looking at what do we do in the future when these don’t fit because folks come to us all the time and want an executive session, and that’s a great learning lesson for me.”
So, I will apologize for one for making that motion, but I did it, and I own it, but I will do better in the future of how do we get a better description of what it is and when we’re in the middle of it, say, no this isn’t going to cut it, let’s get out, let’s go back in,” said Rummel.
Lirot, the incoming Williams County Commissioner who defeated Hilkert in this year’s Republican primary, expressed that he believes Kochert is also considering the interests of the commissioners.
He noted that the Ohio Revised Code specifies the responsibilities regarding emergency dispatch, and there were some concerns about whether Williams County was adhering to those guidelines. However, it seems that the county complies.
Commissioner Bart Westfall emphasized that this action is not intended to exert control over the county dispatch center, but rather to assist the commissioners.
He also reminded everyone that the discussion revolves around oversight of emergency communications by an office, rather than by specific individuals.
“So, as we move forward with the decision, it isn’t for Tom Kochert, it isn’t for us three commissioners, it’s for the commissioner’s office down the road,” said Westfall.
The meeting was originally scheduled for December 12th. However, it was postponed because Mayor Schlade was unavailable.
Commissioner Hilkert mentioned that he was unsure if anyone had checked with Sheriff Kochert, who was out of town in Columbus during this discussion.
Commissioner Rummel motioned to revive the 911 advisory board, which would be separate from the current Next Gen 911.
However, he withdrew his motion after it was suggested that research be conducted on the board’s representation.
In other news, the commissioners approved a Water Pollution Control Loan Fund Agreement for the principle forgiveness funds from Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA); Grant Funds in the amount of: $2,320,000.00, approved two permits for Frontier Communications to work in county rights of way.
One project is on Fulton Road and the other is on Travis Drive, both in Montpelier, approved an agreement for a third party to provide testing of class D driving skills for the Williams County Clerk of Courts, agreed to take part in the AMERICA 250-OH plan to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.
The county will create a voluntary committee, Agreed to an extension of a grant for the Alvordton sewer project, as well as a loan for the project, and announced estimates for work on some buildings at the fairgrounds have been received, including $16,830 for the merchants building; $32,500 to strip steel and replace material; $14,600 for work on the sheep and cattle barns; and $3,300 to paint the roof on the donkey barn.