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SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2020
Sowing the Seeds
Southeast Ohio to receive $52 million in EPA funds COLUMBUS - Communities in Southeast Ohio are receiving a total of $52 million in low-interest and principal forgiveness funding from Ohio EPA to improve wastewater and drinking water infrastructure and make other water quality improvements. The loans were approved between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2020. The lower interest rates and principal forgiveness will save these communities more than $20.3 million. Statewide, Ohio EPA awarded approximately $466.5 million in loans during the first half of the year, including $25.5 million in principal forgiveness. Combined, Ohio communities will save more than $90.9 million when compared to market-rate loans. The projects are improving Ohio's surface water quality and the reliability and quality of Ohio drinking water systems. The loans include funds to 18 counties to help low-income property owners repair or replace failing home septic systems; these loans do not have to be repaid. For the first half of 2020, these are just some of the following Southeast Ohio projects are receiving funding: - Cadiz is receiving $3.4 million to design replacement sanitary sewer lines and optimize the water treatment plant for harmful algal bloom treatment. The loan includes $1.3 million in principal forgiveness, meaning this amount does not have to be repaid. - Jewett is receiving $1 million to rehabilitate the water treatment plant, including disinfecting wells, replacing well pumps, and demolishing the old
reaction tank. The loan includes $500,000 in principal forgiveness, meaning this amount does not have to be repaid. - Hopedale is receiving $101,000 to design the replacement of two aging water tanks. - Jefferson County is receiving $5.4 million to construct a wastewater collection system and an extended aeration package plan to serve Amsterdam and adjacent areas. The loan includes $980,000 in principal forgiveness, meaning this amount does not have to be repaid. - Mingo Junction is receiving $6 million for the combined sewer overflow separation project phase 1 & 2. The loans include $50,000 in principal forgiveness, meaning this amount does not have to be repaid. - Wintersville is receiving $2.1 million to rehabilitate the sanitary sewer system, six pump stations, and electrical work. - Athens is receiving $1.4 million to design and construct a regional sewer service, a more efficient and costeffective sewage conveyance and treatment process, and handling of biosolids. - Steubenville is receiving $1.5 million to purchase and install flow monitors in the collection system, development of a hydraulic model, development of a wet weather improvement plan to mitigate combined service overflows, and the design of new combined sewers. - Washington County is receiving $561,000 to complete a general plan and design work to replace the sanitary sewer system in Devola. - Muskingum County is receiving
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$4.1 million to extend water lines in Union Township and the village of Roseville. The loans include $1.1 million in principal forgiveness, meaning this amount does not have to be repaid. - Coshocton is receiving $6 million to connect a waterline from West Lafayette to Coshocton and replace undersized water mains in West Lafayette. H2Ohio also provided $500,000 in grant funding for this project. The loan includes $3 million in principal forgiveness, meaning this amount does not have to be repaid. - Somerset is receiving $67,000 to design water system improvements for water line replacement, upgrades to the water treatment plant, and tank repainting. - Tuscarawas is receiving $171,000 to install a new filtration system, install new meters coming from wells, and increase storage capacity. - Middleport is receiving $240,000 to replace water mains and services and make improvements to wells. - Health Departments, Districts, and County Commissioners in the following counties are each receiving $150,000 in principal forgiveness loans for the repair and replacement of household sewage treatment systems: Athens, Belmont, Gallia, Harrison, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Morgan, Muskingum, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Tuscarawas, and Washington. - Coshocton County, Meigs County General Health District, and Vinton County each are receiving $100,000
See FUNDS - Pg. 3
Commissioners take next step for new jail By JD LONG
jim@harrisonnewsherald.com CADIZ – The possibility for Harrison County seeing a new jail facility come to fruition has seen the next step taken. Harrison County Commissioners on Wednesday approved several agreements with Bricker & Eckler law firm for calculations and estimates to see what the county is dealing with in regards to a dollar amount. “This engagement is limited to assisting and advising the County with regard to its jail project and providing various procurement documents...” the agreement (41-20) reads in part. Commissioner Paul Coffland noted a “menu-type item” that allows the commissioners to “pick and choose as the project progresses.” Expenses involved include a $5,000 fixed-fee for preparing an architect procurement, agreement and negotiation. An additional $30,000 is to be paid for “Construction Management at Risk Procurement, Agreement and Negotiation,” involving much of the same duties as previously stated. The agreement also includes B&E’s involvement throughout the process involving attendance in meetings and negotiating terms of an agreement with an architect with possible revisions at a cost of $350 per hour. This fee does not include addressing disputes regarding the selection process, as an example. This would be an additional fee of $350 per hour,
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according to a B&E letter addressed to Harrison County Prosecutor Owen Beetham. Coffland said it was Beetham’s recommendation to seek outside counsel “who specializes in these types of things.” The second agreement (42-20) dealt with the bond issue. Coffland explained this was for bond counsel and the “possibility funding sources” in dealing with the same new jail project. “This would entail having them guide us through the process of securing bonds or doing a USDA loan option,” Coffland explained. “And this is something that again, long process as we start to address the needs of the sheriff’s office and a jail [and] the possibility to use the Armory site for renovation and construction of a new facility, which would basically be behind the existing Armory’s footprint.” Coffland stated this agreement included another set of menu items and sets of fees. And with a USDA loan estimate from $10 million to $12 million, B&E’s fees are listed at $40,000 to $50,000. The billing rate for working on bond issues and documentation, for example would be $570 per hour. The commissioners approved both agreements and after taking care of other matters returned to the issue of a new jail after the meeting had adjourned. “Mainly the increase in operational costs,” Bethel stated and Coffland agreed as a main component to consider. How much more of those
costs will have to be incurred is the question. Bethel said the money spent even before the doors open is something to watch along with extra staff members, with a number of 16 he threw out there. “We are not going to bankrupt this county over a jail,” he emphasized with a higher tone in his voice. “It’s craziness.” Both Coffland and Bethel (Commissioner Dale Norris was live via teleconference) said they first need to know what the sheriff’s overall budget is now and estimate what it would be with the new jail. “There are some savings,” Coffland said. “I mean obviously, minimal savings on wear and tear on vehicles because you’re probably be using that vehicle hopefully, to protect the citizens of Harrison County in patrolling more.” This was said in reference to not running the county’s own inmates to other counties for lack of space, as well as paying for those housed inmates elsewhere. “But, what are the cost-savings we can mine out of a new facility? “ Coffland asked. “That’s what we have to find out.” Bethel said if the county is going to pay for the new jail, where he emphasized that no levy would be proposed, then they must look at every single financial detail down to the “nuts and bolts of this thing so we don’t have any surprises.” Commissioner Don Bethel did question the need for an 80-bed jail when they haven’t needed half of that. Sheriff Joe Myers still stands by an 80-bed addition, which he confirmed via text the following day.
Area
Green Valley Seed is a grass seed distributor based out of Canfield with a secondary location in Cadiz dedicated mostly to storage and warehousing. The company is looking to expand further into the county and surrounding area.
Seed savvy with Green Valley Seed By BONNIE RUTLEDGE An award-winning lawn can be a coveted achievement as the science of aesthetic grass runs much deeper than an expensive lawn mower. Finding the right grass seed for a project can be a daunting task with over 12,000 known species to choose from. Bryan Hum, owner of Green Valley Seed, knows all about grass types and what works best for different applications. So what makes a blade of grass stand out among the rest? For residential and commercial lawns, it has to look good. Blade thickness is important. Thin blades of grass are considered to be the most attractive in an acre view. A deep green color is a must, too, along with resilience to dormancy in dry spells, insect infestation, and natural defense mechanisms against diseases. The blades should be uniform and not rough or jagged, and they need to grow straight and tall instead of laying down. That way, mowing is
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more effective. And above all, quick growing grass is in high demand--it does not take as long for grass to grow anymore (Yep, you may want to rethink the old saying!) However, not all grass is destined for beauty. It is often crucial to reclaim pasture fields or plant grass to stop erosion on a hillside. Maybe a farmer needs grass with essential nutrients for animals or maybe a pipeline company needs to reseed through both residential and farmland properties. There is a mix for each and every need, and custom mixes are available upon request. Alfalfa and clover seeds are included in nutrient mixes. Deep rooting grass species are mixed for erosion control. A mix of a little bit of everything serves pipelining purposes to keep everyone happy. But no matter the use, grass seed needs to be varied or “mixed”. Before, It was common in the 80’s to plant a yard with one type of grass only to have disease hit and
See SEED - Pg. 3
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