HANDLING COUNTY BUSINESS … Williams County Commissioners Terry Rummel, Lew Hilkert and Brian Davis use official on the record meeting time to sign resolutions and discuss business at the November 7, 2022 regular session. (PHOTO BY REBECCA MILLER, STAFF)
By: Rebecca Miller
Just as most of the old memory-filled school buildings, which have been abandoned for the brand new multi-million-dollar edifices, have been torn down or knocked down, Edon, Ohio’s old school building will be falling soon.
The purpose is to make land available for housing and development in Williams County.
Resolution 281 at the Williams County Commissioners meeting on November 7, 2022 stated, “Authorizing the president of the Board of Commissioners to submit an application to the Ohio Department of Development Office of Community Development for the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) Targets of Opportunity Program, and to execute the proposed program – environmental remediation of the former Edon School Building.”
The resolution also used the wording, “including the remediation of environmental hazards and the demolition of a dilapidated structure,” “the Edon School Building meets the standards of being classified as a spot slum and blight designation,” “working in partnership with the Williams County Land Reutilization Corporation to provide the 25% match required by the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program,” and “the remediation and demolition of the former Edon School will result in the return of this parcel to productive use.”
Other items approved at the November 7, 2022 meeting were:
- Resolution 279 Supplemental Appropriations
- Resolution 280 authorizing the president of the Board of Commissioners to submit a commitment for 25% matching funds to the Ohio Department of Development for the Brownfield Remediation Program – Fourth Floor Courthouse
- Also signed: Permit to work within county/township road right of way limits for Cooper Farms; Monthly Expenditures for credit cards for prosecutor’s office for November 2022
- Minutes of November 3, 2022 and payment of bills
Commissioner Terry Rummel brought up the thought of possibly applying to the state of Ohio for some money from the capital budget so they could be able to match the grant funding money.
Commissioner Brian Davis said that he is not sure if that is a “qualified, bondable expense under the rules” but that he will check into it.
Rummel said that he would reach out to Hoops and McColley to look for some of the additional funding as they get further along in the process.
Rummel also stated that he would be on the agenda at the Jefferson Township meeting that night, at 7 p.m., to have the RUMA signed for the road use around the new solar project that is happening on St. Rt. 15.
Rebecca can be reached at rebecca@thevillagereporter.com