(PHOTO BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
AIRPORT … The Williams County Commissioners look at an aerial photo of the Williams County Airport with Brent Wilson as he explains the plans for the future.
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
During the meeting on Tuesday, October 29th, the Williams County Commissioners approved the rebidding process for the Multi-Chemical Identification Meter project. Sealed bids will be accepted until Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
Earlier this month, bids submitted for this project were denied and sent back for rebidding due to discrepancies in the original process.
The commissioners have decided to postpone a final hearing regarding a petition to add Ditch No. 744 to the county maintenance list, as recommended by the county drainage engineer.
A nearby landowner requested the addition due to ongoing flooding issues. Although no specific reason was provided for the postponement, Commissioner Bart Westfall expressed that the estimates on expenses and the scope of work require additional time for completion. No date has been established for the final hearing.
Brent Wilson, the Assistant Administrator of Williams County Airport, met with the commissioners on Thursday, October 31st. As winter weather approaches, the airport is preparing to acquire additional snow removal equipment.
The Federal Aviation Administration is covering 90% of the cost for a tractor equipped with a snowblower, while the state will fund another 5%. Bids for this equipment have already been sent out.
He mentioned that the airport is collaborating with the FAA on several other projects to enhance the facility, which has experienced a 34-40% increase in traffic in recent years. Wilson credited this rise in traffic to the recent improvements made at the airport.
One of the planned projects involves laying a new concrete surface in the building where jets are stored. Wilson mentioned that the airport is working to acquire an Automatic Weather Observation System through federal funding.
He is also hoping to collaborate with the Emergency Management Agency for additional funding. He stated that this system is essential as it can report precipitation, thunderstorm activity, visibility, and wind direction, which schools can use for visibility guidance on foggy days.
In other news, the commissioners approved the following items:
-A work permit was approved for Toledo Edison to raise a transformer and neutral on a utility pole on 12169 County Road 15 near Montpelier. The project date is expected to be April 10th.
-A work permit was also approved for CNI to install conduit and fiber optic cable from the intersection of County Roads P50 and 8 along the right-of-way to a cellular tower at 16757 County Road 8 near Montpelier. The project date is set to be from November 1 – December 31.
-Accepted the resignation of Sharon Borton as interim director of Williams County Job and Family Services, effective Friday.
– They agreed to send a bid package to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to proceed with the aeration project at George Bible Park.
– A change order increase of $823.54 was approved for the Scott and Brown Drive Norlick project, bringing the final cost of the project to $679,334.59.
-Approved a change order increase of $1,059.50 for the 2024 pavement marking project, bringing the total cost to $106,504.25.
-Additionally, several fund transfers were approved, including $94,681.89 for the installation of a generator at Williams County Hillside Country Living.
The commissioners entered executive session at 9:40 a.m. After returning, they adjourned the meeting.