(PHOTO BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
FAIRGROUNDS … Pam Goll and Tobi Fenicle met with the Williams County Commissioners to go over high-priority items needing immediate attention at the Williams County Fairgrounds.
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
Williams County Engineer Todd Roth met with the Williams County commissioners on Tuesday, November 19th, to discuss a solution for the sewer treatment near the Ohio Turnpike.
Roth stated that the treatment plant can manage the current flow of waste; however, it struggles with the type of flow that predominantly consists of food waste.
He is requesting $15,000 to conduct a study on the plant to determine what improvements may be necessary.
Roth stated that he views the project as an economic development tool. He explained that if a new restaurant wanted to establish itself in the area, he would have to deny the request because the county currently lacks the necessary sewer services to support such an endeavor.
After the study is conducted and completed, the plant’s design will be evaluated to determine the next steps.
Dennis Miller from the Maumee Valley Planning Organization attended the meeting and noted that grant funds for upgrading the plant may be available, but the project scope must be clarified first.
Commissioner Lew Hilkert proposed using $15,000 from a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) fund set up for the area, which currently has about $130,000 available, to conduct the study.
If the board does not agree to fund the project, then it was suggested by Commissioner Rummel that the commissioners take the money out of the general fund.
During the meeting on Thursday, November 21st, Pam Goll and Tobi Fenicle met with the commissioners to discuss priority items that needed fixing at the fairgrounds.
The commissioners had previously conducted a walk-through of the fairgrounds to assess the necessary repairs.
Goll began by noting that an electrical pole has broken near its base and is just hanging there, which poses a significant concern.
Given this situation, it was decided to prioritize the telephone poles. Fenicle pointed out that a brand-new pole costs about $300 each.
Commissioner Westfall suggested that Toledo Edison might provide them with old poles that are no longer in service for reuse.
The next items on the agenda are the cattle and sheep barns. There is also a concern regarding a missing board on the bridge, which could pose a risk to pedestrians.
Commissioner Hilkert suggested that a metal plate or similar material be placed over the hole to prevent anyone from stepping into it and getting hurt. Fenicle mentioned that he can cover the hole for now, but the board is in the process of being repaired.
During the meeting, the broken weather vane was discussed. Fenicle mentioned that it has not yet been repaired, but he has spoken to someone about climbing onto the roof to inspect it. He also noted that the fire department has offered to let them use their ladder truck for this task.
Goll informed the commissioners that the EMA conducted an inspection and reported that the fairgrounds need to construct tornado shelter buildings with appropriate signs.
The commissioners, along with Fenicle and Goll, have decided to arrange a meeting with other villages in the area to address the issues related to the telephone poles.
Following this, Goll and Fenicle are scheduled to meet with the commissioners again on December 17th to discuss any updates.
In other news, the commissioners:
-Approved a Capital Improvement Community Park, Recreation/Conservation Project Pass-Through Grant Agreement for the George Bible Park Aeration System for grant funding in the amount of $20,000.00 ($19,600.00 to county and $400.00 for ODNR to cover administrative costs) that was submitted by Todd Roth.
-Approved a Software Support Agreement between Williams County Sheriff and ParTec Systems, LLC for Civil Trak software maintenance and support at a cost not to exceed $995.00 (1001-42-400-506002); Term: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025.
-Approved a Fire Alarm Testing & Service Agreement between Williams County Commissioners and Torrence Communications for a Fire Alarm Testing & Service Agreement at a cost not to exceed $1,572.00 per year; (1001-40-168-506000). Term: Beginning 11/01/2024 with automatic one-year renewals.
With nothing further, the meeting was adjourned.
