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SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2019
harrisonnewsherald.com
MWCD sets sights on property acquisition By JD LONG
jim@harrisonnewsherald.com
NEW PHILADELPHIA – As soon as last Friday’s Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) meeting was set to start the board went into an executive session for nearly an hour and a half. On that agenda for the separate Board of Appraisers (BOA) meeting, held at the Kent State Tuscarawas campus, was “potential” land to acquire at Tappan, Atwood and Pleasant Hill. When the meeting resumed the BOA approved for the board to proceed with
negotiations for purchasing the Tappan Lake property. Minutes provided from a Feb. 8, 2019 meeting revealed that a landowner had approached the MWCD offering 143 acres “of farmland and associated buildings to the MWCD.” The land is accessible via U.S. 250 and Township Road 210 where it also shares 1.5 miles of MWCD property line. The property includes two farmhouses, several barns and outbuildings that overlook Tappan Lake. It was noted that the land is an active farming operation and a “traditional gas well and the associated
See SETTLES PG. 3
from the surface of Tappan Lake. In addition, there is a strong water quality component since the watershed of the property contributes the majority of the drainage into the bay upstream of the raw water intake for the Village of Cadiz,” per the minutes. The Atwood Lake acquisition was approved for the MWCD board members to allow staff to attend the auction, which would be held on May 11. This property was described as consisting of 150 acres and another 16 acre parcel “if necessary.” It has a home and garage and it was to be purchased “if it’s going to sell in one piece.”
“That recommendation is contingent upon final receipt and evaluation by the staff of the appraisal and agreement by staff of the current use of the value, combined with conservation potential of the property merits a bid,” Mark Waltz of the BOA explained. Pleasant Hill though, was not approved but tabled for further review. Waltz explained that the family who owns the property had yet to determine what the offering price would be. He said that there was a considerable gap between what the property was appraised at and what the owners were asking.
CELEBRATING THE HISTORY OF COAL IN HARRISON COUNTY
Post office settles on Cadiz location
CADIZ – Just days after the Cadiz Community Improvement Corporation (CCIC) held their monthly meeting on April 18 outlining several areas where they would like to see a permanent Cadiz post office, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) sent out a press release naming the site. CCIC President Mike Sliva stated that they had no idea that was coming, nor was the village consulted. The new place, according to the USPS press release is going to be at 82422 Cadiz Jewett Road in Cadiz near Trinity Express Care on Derek Ferguson’s property he’s been developing for the past few years. “We don’t agree it’s the best area for the citizens,” Sliva explained adding that they would have preferred a permanent post office be placed within walking distance of the uptown workers. He also said they had been very accommodating and open minded regarding talks on demolition of the old place and in general but were disappointed for the citizens of the village. He did state, though, that he does understand the decision. The press release included comments regarding the temporary office, which is located at 732 Peppard Ave. next to the Harrison Hills Board of Education offices. Mail services would continue there until the new location is up and ready. “The Postal Service held a community contact meeting to discuss the Cadiz Post Office status on May 7, 2018. After carefully considering all comments made at the meeting, the decision to proceed with a new space project is under way. The project will allow the Postal Service to continue retail operations for our customers in Cadiz and
lease exist on the property.” The value was noted to be worth $900,000 back in 2009 but states that the owner chose not to sell but to continue farming the land. Since that appraisal it was noted that an additional barn had been built and two houses had extensive remodeling done. “…One-half of the mineral rights have been sold in an agreement that grants extensive surface rights,” according to the minutes. “The acquisition of this property would help guard against incompatible development in an area that is highly visible from both State Route 250 and
Central Ohio Coal Compay’s, Big Muskie, a model 4250-W Bucyrus-Erie dragline was the largest single-bucket digging machine ever built. Its bucket held 325 short tons and during 22 years of service, it removed more than 608,000,000 cubic yards of earth before being retired in 1991. For those interested in the history of these digging machines and the coal industry in Harrison County, you can attend the 25th annual Harrison Coal & Reclamation Historical Park’s dinner on May 11. More details found on page 3.
Jewett tables pavilion, announces opening bid day for waterline project By JD LONG
jim@harrisonnewsherald.com
JEWETT – Three requests for bids were sent out for work on the park pavilion and work done in front of the municipal building, including a handicap ramp. Mayor Dwight Busby said only one returned with a bid, which was read as $8,150 with metal on the pavilion but $7,885 with shingles. He said the total amount for the municipal building work was announced as, $13,075.
Council member Paul Prevot felt that was a “little steep” for a handicap ramp and suggested the issue be tabled until the next meeting, which Busby and the other members agreed. Also, Treasurer Linda Ager reminded council that May 9 is bid-opening day for the construction of their massive waterline project. “So, we’re coming to the end of it so it’s reality now,” she said. Then Busby asked her if everyone was aware that the village may get their full 50 percent share of EPA funding when initially, it was being cut back because the EPA
had plainly run out of money, or so it seemed. “There’s a very high possibility there will be money left from other projects that didn’t get done so we are very much eligible then to get our whole 50 percent,” Ager told everyone. “So, it looks good…” She added more good news when she announced that extra funds might also be available from the EPA to help with engineering costs, as well. Bob Allen of E.L. Robinson Engineering later stated that the 50
percent principal forgiveness is stated as a loan but the village does not have to pay that back. He did emphasize that the decision was not final and that they were still working with the EPA on a final amount. Village Solicitor Jenna Hokes talked of reaching more residents regarding easements needed in paving the way for those waterline projects. Hokes said all residents have either been contacted or signed the easement but two. She said that brings the list down to just five properties remaining with three people
to sign. Earlier in the meeting, village employee Charlie Harris reported some problems with their lift stations. He said one station needed floats changed out with another having a problem with corrosion. After further discussion on another area Harris was concerned over regarding a pipe that was clogged where there was no catch basin, council eventually decided to install a catch basin.
CCH Solid Waste District announces Harrison County Clean Up Day for May 18 By JD LONG
jim@harrisonnewsherald.com CADIZ – Wednesday, the Harrison County cleanup day was announced as May 18 from 9 a.m. to noon at the county
HARRISON
NEWS-HERALD
fairgrounds in Cadiz. Paige Hay of Carroll-Columbiana-Harrison Solid Waste District (CCH) laid out the parameters at the Harrison County Commissioner’s meeting for what is allowed or what would have to be called in for a special pickup.
“Residents can bring refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, washers, dryers, and other scrap metal to this event. There is no cost for large appliances or scrap metal. The refrigerant from freezers, refrigerators and dehumidifiers will be
Index
OBITUARIES
Area: . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pg. 2 Obits . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 5 Sports: . . . . . . . . . . . .Pg. 6 Public Record . . . . . .Pg. 8 Crossword . . . . . . . . .Pg. 10 Events . . . . . . . . . . . .Pg. 10
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Paul E. Combs Jr. Cadiz, Ohio
Joseph W. Crow Cadiz, Ohio Mary Ellen Goodrich Cadiz, Ohio
recovered and recycled,” per the prepared statement. Car and light truck tires will also be collected but there is a $1 charge per tire for the first 10 tires and $2 for each tire over the amount of 10. It was emphasized
as “cash only.” Also, no rims can be attached to the tires but rims as separate items can be dropped off as scrap metal. “All tires must be free of water and debris” and only tires from District
See CLEAN UP PG. 3
Question of the week
Last week’s question Do you feel safe in your community? YES 53% (17 VOTES) NO 47% (15 VOTES))
Jennie Folio Hopedale, Ohio
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Next week’s question
Did you participate in 4H growing up? YES • NO
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