(PHOTO BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
LAND PROPOSAL … Williams County Engineer Todd Roth holds up a map while discussing the proposed trade of parcels between the county and West Unity.
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
In a meeting held on Tuesday, November 26th, Williams County Emergency Management Agency Director Apryl McClaine met with the commissioners to open two bids received for the new hazardous materials detector.
The detector, which was estimated to cost $95,100, would be used by the county’s hazardous materials team.
The first bid received was $57,091.89 and the second was $77,168. The specifications of the bids will be reviewed before announcing the winning bid at a future meeting.
This is the second time the detector has gone out for bids due to discrepancies during the first round of bidding.
Vond Hall, the County Administrator, explained that the estimate for the detector was based on previously purchased equipment. With advancements in technology, the cost of the units has decreased, which is why the bids are significantly lower.
Williams County Engineer Todd Roth met with the commissioners to discuss a piece of property related to the Wabash Trail in West Unity.
The county owns a small parcel of land that the village is interested in acquiring. Roth proposed that the county consider trading this property for another parcel that the village owns.
One property is located near Main and Liberty Streets, while the other is situated near the Wabash Trail.
Roth explained that the village is interested in acquiring some land for their park, and that the trade would not impact the county’s portion of the trail.
As part of the proposed trade, he wants to give West Unity an additional piece of land owned by the county, located to the south of Pine Street. The county does not have any use for this land, and a nearby landowner has shown interest in it.
“The land should have been transferred when Pine Street was transferred. It falls into their zoning guidelines,” said Roth. He believes that the village should manage how the business for the property is conducted.
Commissioner Westfall agreed with this by saying it is the rightful chain of command. Following this discussion, the commissioners decided to have documents prepared for the land.
In other news, the commissioners approved the following:

-Northwest Township Community Center ADA Parking Improvements Project. Awarding the contract to Rittenhouse Concrete in the amount of $34,800.00 and will be funded out of the 2023 Allocation Project. The Board has also agreed to waive any and all bonds needed for this project.
-A Lease Agreement between the Board of Commissioners, Williams County and Williams County Department of Job & Family Services for the first and second floor in the building located at 117 West Butler Street, Bryan, Ohio 43506, which contains 15,217 square feet; term January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, at a cost not to exceed $455.29 per month.
-A contractual agreement between Williams County Department of Job and Bed Brigade of Williams County, Inc. to provide twin size bed units to Williams County children in need at a cost not to exceed $5,000.00; Term: January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
-A contract agreement between Williams County Department of Job and Speak Write, LLC for transcription services at a cost not to exceed $25,000.00; Term: January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
-Transfer of funds.