MAUMEE VALLEY PLANNING ORGANIZATION … Dennis Miller and Mikayla Mueller from Maumee Valley Planning Organization came in to review the project list being readied in preparation for the allocation of CDBG funds.
By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
anna@thevillagereporter.com
The Williams County Commissioners met last week on Tuesday and Thursday in regular session. Tuesday began around 8 a.m. with an update from the Board of Elections, with it being shared that the board is having to find $100,000 for license renewal fees.
There has been some miscommunication, as it was noted that they had a year to pay off the balance but have just gotten a letter announcing notice of late payment.
This renewal process takes place every five years, and discussion was held on setting time aside to go over the details of the agreement previously in place to solidify what needs to be paid.
It was then discussed that most poll workers are older, and that more will need to be looked at for hire in the next five years.
Discussion was held on how the number of people that vote has decreased before the commissioners entered into recess.
They came back at around 9 a.m. to pass two resolutions, as well as sign the Prosecutor’s Office credit card expenditures for April, the minutes for their April 4th meeting, and the bills as presented.
At 10 a.m., the preliminary hearing on Ditch 744 started, with Commissioner Rummel recused due to owning land in the watershed. The details were discussed, and the estimate for the project came back in excess of $300,000.
It was shared that after analysis during the most recent rainfall, engineer Brian Fritsch is recommending that this ditch be taken under maintenance instead of rebuilt entirely. Maintenance for the ditch is estimated at $81,000, with an annual cost of around $5,000.
Ed Nickolite then shared that they don’t see the economic value in clearing the right of way access for $81,000.
Rummel then shared that, as a citizen, he has spent a lot of time, research, and money into pattern tiling, having spent nearly $35,000 for pattern tiling to remedy drainage problems faced by the farm he owns on the watershed. He voiced his support for the $81,000 maintenance project over the $300,000 reconstruction project.
Dave Thompson shared that beavers in the area keep worsening the problem, with efforts having been made to destroy multiple dams causing overflow.
He shared that either course of action would be a waste of money “until something is done with the beavers that reside in that ditch.”
Dan Drake added that because the area is in the floodplain, an extensive project would be needed to ensure that water does not back up, as there are multiple water sources contributing to the issue.
Sydney Ebersole shared that the beavers in the ditch have been the main issue, sharing that much of their land has been underwater for two months at a time.
They shared that they began the petition and agreed that the option to put the ditch under county maintenance seemed like the best solution.
Thompson shared that in October, it was discussed that the beavers should be hunted before the dam was removed to prevent the issue from recurring.
The dam was busted, but the beaver repaired it overnight. Seven beavers were trapped from the area, but the dam was rebuilt after being broken again.
The dam has also been removed with a backhoe, but the beavers continue to rebuild it. Will Ebersole shared that the beavers have since stayed in one location since corn was removed from surrounding fields, and Thopson shared that the ODNR should be contacted to take care of the issue with the beavers.
It was discussed that if the ditch were to be put under maintenance, the dams would be removed as reported or sighted at inspection.
Conversation was then had on the beavers being nuisance animals, with those in the area planning to provide permission for hunters to eliminate them.
Right of way access parameters were then discussed before a motion was made to move this petition on to its final hearing.
Plans were made for the commissioners to receive costs on removing obstructions and putting the ditch on permanent maintenance.
Thursday saw the general session beginning at 9 a.m., beginning with the approval of four resolutions, the Dog Warden reports through April 5th, a construction exemption certificate for the 2024 asphalt program, alternate assignment notices, the minutes from Tuesday, and the bills as presented.
Sheriff Kochert came in to share the details of a training program necessary for investigating electronic devices. The commissioners told the Sheriff to write them a letter asking for the funds so that they may formally approve it.
A sealed bid was then opened for the Edgerton North Oak Street project, with both being within 10% of the estimate. The plans were sent to the Engineer’s Office for further review so that a recommendation may be made as to which proposal to accept.
Mikayla Mueller and Dennis Miller from Maumee Valley Planning were there for the bid opening and stayed to give an update on the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) project list.
Developing a list by priority in case of awarded funds was discussed, with it being shared that they would like to make sure all project plans are on pace as to avoid any project delays.
Commissioners Hilkert, Rummel, and Westfall then discussed the creation of a County Administrator. All surrounding counties already have one, and the position would provide some consistency for the departments under the commissioners as elections see changes in leadership.
It was agreed that the idea was good, and necessary for the growing responsibilities seen under the county’s workload.
After agreeing to move forward with the process of hiring a County Administrator, the Williams County Commissioners adjourned for the week.
This week’s resolutions: 24-0143: supplemental appropriations; 24-0144: awarding the Asphalt Spot Paving bid; 24-0145: supplemental appropriations; 24-0146: JFS IV-E contract; 24-0147: Williams County EMS credit card application; 24-0148: established the timeline for researching the solutions for Ditch 744.