200th TOKEN … The Williams County Commissioners were happy to help distribute the wooden tokens made to spread awareness for and spark interest in the county-wide celebrations planned all throughout 2024 in commemoration of its 200th year.
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
By: Anna Wozniak
anna@thevillagereporter.com
The Williams County Commissioners regularly last week, meeting both Tuesday and Thursday.
Tuesday began near 9 a.m., with a regular session.
They then passed two resolutions, approved a Maumee Valley Planning request for pay, a tax exemption certificate for the South Lynn Street waterline replacement project, a quote for carpeting in the courthouse, travel requests, a letter with regards to a donation, the minutes from their March 21, 2024 meeting, and the bills as presented.
At 10 a.m., a bid was opened for the Scott and Brown Road Drive Curb and Asphalt Upgrade, or Project #2-2024. There was one bid with one addendum, which was accepted and forwarded for review before they adjourned for the day at 10:04 a.m.
Thursday began at 8 a.m., with Commissioners Bart Westfall and Lew Hilkert attending the monthly Hillside Country Living meeting.
At 9:30 a.m., their regular session began, where they approved three resolutions, the Dog Warden report through March 24th, a letter of support for more state housing funding, a Maumee Valley letter of support for demolition and revitalization, the Auditor’s Office April credit card appropriations, the minutes of Tuesday’s session, and the bills as presented by the auditor.
Denver Henderson then greeted the commissioners around 10 a.m., with Commissioner Terry Rummel present via Zoom.
Henderson came in to share the recent plannings of the Williams County 200 Committee. He shared that they have a lot planned for “over the next few months,” with activities expected to be conducted throughout the year.
The first is set for April 19, 2024, with the opening ceremony beginning at 1 p.m. at the Bryan Arts and Education Building Auditorium.
Other key events planned so far is a selfie bingo game, wherein winners get gift bags for taking selfies all across the county on April 20th, a closing ceremony on April 21st, that is set for 1 p.m. at the Williams County Fairgrounds, and a special session for the Commissioner’s Office on June 7th, commemorating the date of their first session 200 years before.
The Williams County 200 Committee has a Facebook page that residents are encouraged to visit, with all relevant dates and some interesting facts listed.
School children throughout the county have also received a commemorative wooden token, made by the committee to not only commemorate the 200 years of Williams County, but to also get the children and their parents interested in and excited for the fun events that will be taking place this year throughout the county.
Chris Snider came in to greet the commissioners at 10:30 a.m., representing National Grid Renewables.
He shared that they are currently looking at a solar expansion for Springfield Township, with the land in the Stryker Local School District. It was shared that this project would see tax revenue going to Stryker Local Schools.
This expansion is hoping to add to their substation and battery storage, with a total of 1,200 acres. Paperwork was then given to the commissioners for further review of the project.
WEDCO Executive Director Ashley Epling then greeted the commissioners around 11 a.m., to discuss the enterprise zone agreement with AquaBounty in Pioneer.
This meeting addressed a resolution allowing the renewal of their enterprise agreement, which expired in December, to update the finish date for the project and the project’s estimated total cost.
The project is extended through August, and now estimated to cost upwards of $400 million. They agreed to approve the resolution, which approved the renewal of the enterprise zone agreement with the changes. They then adjourned at 11:03 a.m.