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SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2019
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Jewett reveals six new bids for waterline project By JD LONG
jim@harrisonnewsherald.com
JEWETT – Wednesday, Mayor Dwight Busby revealed that there were six new bids for their major water line project after Legends of Michigan, abandoned their bid and became incommunicado. The six amounted to two more than they initially received earlier in the summer before the necessary rebidding. And where the previous four were around one million apart fro each other, which included Legends’
winning with a bid of over $2.6 million, all six new bids were within $400,000 of each other. Busby stated there would now be the customary 10-day waiting period before any action taken. Village Solicitor Jenna Hokes said there is some reviewing to take place with a concern on the bid form involving one bidder and whether the bonding is correct. “E.L. Robinson is reviewing and I’m reviewing and there’s some other considerations…” Hokes explained. “One of the bidders may have a problem with bonding and there’s a question about work quality…so we’re
doing some research into it because we don’t want to end up here doing a third bid.” The six bids beginning with the highest was Stone Gate at $3,491,235. Next highest was James White at $3,413,383 and L&B Construction with the third highest bid at, $3,329,350. Glenn Johnston was next at $3,249,557 with Border Patrol issuing the fifth highest bid at, $3,115,634.40 and Express Underground the lowest bid at just over $3 million and change. In another turn of events, Police Chief Ron Carter announced the resignation
of one of his officers, Jamie Robertson. Carter said he recently received his resignation “due to time and financials here,” and would take effect Sept. 16 with his last day being the 15th. “I will do as much as I can to fill the holes that will be left,” Carter told council. “I mean at the end of the day, it’s an uphill battle…” Carter said referring to competing jurisdictions who may offer more money than Jewett can afford. “We’re trying to get guys to come out here part time,” he said and referred to a commitment he is attempting to secure from someone for next year,
though he did not go into detail. Carter also introduced to council Narcan nasal spray, which he said would be stored in their cruisers from now on. “Unfortunately last week we had a close call,” Carter told council. “So, it will be for officer use…” Carter said the spray will be placed on their vests for emergencies concerning the types of drugs coming into the area. “I just want to make sure my guys are protected as best we could be,” Carter said and added that the Narcan spray is at no cost to the village.
Changes noted in court-parole business By JD LONG
jim@harrisonnewsherald. com
Ohio 9, which leads to the entrance at Sally Buffalo Park now will also lead to the main entrance to the new school. The overall speed limit is being reduced from 35 mph to 25 and to 20 mph during school hours. Blinking caution lights and signs are being put up as well. Work on the turn lanes, which will widen Ohio 9 is expected to finish this Friday, Aug. 28.
Speed limit to change on Ohio 9 to new school By JD LONG
jim@harrisonnewsherald.com CADIZ – Cadiz Village Administrator Ted Andrzejewski stated at last Thursday’s council meeting that plans are in the works to reduce the speed limit to 20 mph on Ohio 9, the road that leads past the main entrance to the new school. Also, 20 mph signs are being added for school hours with blinking caution lights as well. The overall speed is also being reduced from 35 mph to 25 mph with the lights being installed sometime this week. Meanwhile, work continues on widening Ohio 9 to include turn lanes coming from both sides of the road. That work is due for completion this Friday (Aug. 23) just days before Monday’s first day of school. Also, Andrzejewski met with Mannick Smith
Engineer Greg Schenck concerning the Sally Buffalo Reservoir and Sparrow Reservoir Dam “studies and results.” “They have concluded all of their work and will make a presentation to Council on Thursday, Sept. 5, and go over the results and recommendations,” Andrzejewski wrote in his report. Andrzejewski also met with the village’s engineer, E.L. Robinson in early August for an update on the sewer line projects, as well as the new sewer plant. Financing options and the submission of the engineering design were discussed and he said that everything was proceeding well. Andrzejewski said work was progressing on Maplewood, Spring, and Muskingum street projects but have now met a slight delay. The completion date was moved from Sept. 20 to
Oct. 18 with two change orders that are to be reviewed with council. He explained this week that the change order would cost $6,800 and that it was due to a delay over part of the sewer layout covering a private residence. Council also discussed buying a second police cruiser at a cost of roughly $27,000 but under a special financing project. He said the cruiser was fully equipped with 55,000 miles to its engine. Andrzejewski also met with CT Consultants regarding work on the water plant, which he said was on schedule for the required deadlines. An Aug. 28 meeting is planned with Steve Goff, a consultant for the proposed Harrison Power Plant “and their engineer to go over the progress and to make sure they [are] agreeable with the work so far.”
CADIZ – Harrison County Common Pleas Judge T. Shawn Hervey went before the Harrison County Commissioners Wednesday to announce a new grant for probation services, which totals $50,000 “over the next two years.” “We’re picking up the cases that the Adult Parole Authority used to do; the Adult Parole Authority is getting out of the probation business, they’re just going to be a parole business now,” Hervey explained. Hervey stated it will mean taking on 12 additional cases per year but there really wasn’t much of a choice stating he wasn’t about to turn down the state’s money. “We had to make a decision whether to accept those 12 additional cases or turn down the money,” he told the board. Commissioner Paul Coffland read the agreement (55-19), which in part states: “The purpose of this grant is to provide funds to Grantee to enable it to establish and operate full supervision for offenders under community control within its jurisdiction.” Hervey said the probation staff will see their case load increase somewhat but the grant
money could help subsidize salaries. He added that this new grant comes without any strings attached or hampering choices. “It’s basically given to us to use as needed,” he explained. When asked he said there would be no additional staff hiring with this change. Another issue was their line items that needed straightened out regarding the Smart Ohio Grant. He requested the board vacate those and rename them, which they did. “So, we won’t call it Smart Ohio anymore, we’ll call it the Subsidy Grant,” he said. Hervey also thanked the commissioners for taking care of the problem of mold in the few parts of the building that were in and around his office due to prior roof leakage from the old roof. The mold had eventually been isolated to a few locations and is currently being worked on. “Your response was very expedient and I’m happy to report after sitting in an office for six years with a leaky wall and a falling ceiling that it’s fixed,” Hervey said. Also, Sheriff Joe Myers appeared before the board reminding them of corrections officers filing for labor representation. He said they had been working on a
See CHANGES PG. 2
Bowerston Village Council considers new village administrator BOWERSTON - At the August meeting of the Bowerston Village Council, two resumés were reviewed for the position of Village Administrator. Part time employee Aaron Peterson and council member Megan John, both submitted resumés for Council’s consideration. Council member Jacquie Humphrey inquired if Peterson, who was not
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present at the meeting, was truly interested in reducing his earning potential with the Village by taking the position of Village Administrator, which pays $250, as opposed to working the allowable 25 hours per week at $10 per hour. Councilman Derek Warner, a member of the Personnel Committee who met prior to the regular meeting,
advised that Peterson is interested in taking on the role of Village Administrator in addition to his part time work for the Village. Humphrey said that she would absolutely not vote in favor of one person acting as their own supervisor, that the Village had allowed this in the past and met with only controversy. Humphrey said that she felt this was
not only unethical; it is also a bad business practice. Council member Paula Beamer inquired if Peterson would be interested in leaving his part time work to take the Village Administrator role and was advised that he had not had the opportunity to make the consideration. John, who has been assisting with Village Administrator duties in the
absence of having one, agreed that Peterson should have the opportunity to decide between the two jobs, prior to Council making a decision. The matter was tabled until the September meeting. Other action: - Approved Resolution 14-2019 to
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