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SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2019
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Tappan Marina schedule altered, MWCD to re-bid By JD LONG
jim@harrisonnewsherald.com NEW PHILADELPHIA – Given less than one year to complete a total renovation on Tappan Marina’s building inside and out, it was revealed at last Friday’s Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) meeting that contractors became nervous and added several million to the original bid. Those figures, according to Chief Engineer Boris Slogar reached $9.5 million, which was up from an estimate of $6.1 million
for the building site and renovations. “Given the complexity of the project and the timeline, the bidders essentially inflated their bids to cover the risk of not getting the project done in time,” Slogar explained. “So, while we had a $6.1 million estimate Graycon (Building Group) was our low bidder at just over $9.5 so there’s about a $3 million premium to what in-project management we call ‘crash the project.’” Slogar explained that is the practice of throwing many resources at a project in order to get the job done. He said they are now looking at options describing some of
them as, “value engineering changes” in order to drive some of the cost down. He told the board he believes they can do that and then announced the extension of the project. Slogar explained that the project is going to be finished and done the way that it was intended, but that it’s just going to take a little longer than anticipated. He said it will now be designed and bid in three phases with the inside restaurant area done approximately a year from now, as opposed to everything done at once. Board member Joanne Limbach asked what modifications should be expected,
with Slogar explaining how the project would be broken into phases such as, the utilities and the wastewater treatment plant as one project for example. He said this would alleviate the pressure of trying to accomplish it all at the same time and “that should drive costs down.” He told the board changes in the design of the building itself would also help, such as the cathedral-type ceiling, which would be expensive and they are now looking at changes to that design. “The intention is to keep the profile, the look, the same but changes made inside the building for example, to lower those
Continuing to Serve
costs of construction,” Slogar stated. Limbach repeated the original timeline, which was from Labor Day to Memorial Day and Slogar confirmed that the major construction was to be completed by then. “Basically, what the bids tell us is we can do that but you’re going to pay through the nose to get it done,” he told the board. Slogar suggested that the one disappointment might be that their design team “didn’t see this coming.” “But sometimes you just don’t know until you sell a project,” he said. Executive
See MARINA PG. 5
Scio discusses much-needed infrastructure fixes Our small little town here is getting hammered and we’d like some help. Jason Tubaugh By JD LONG
jim@harrisonnewsherald.com
John ‘Dick’ Harris honored by the Pittsburgh V.A. Veterans utilizing the Disabled American Veterans van to go to the Pittsburgh V.A. Hospital are transported by two different drivers, Dick Harris and Scott Merkins. Dick Harris recently received a Certificate of Appreciation for 12,163 hours serving our Veterans for over 19 years. Harris’s award noted that his outstanding contributions have helped advance the health care system’s pursuit of excellence while setting a new standard in V.A. care. Pictured is Harris being congratulated by Lisa Tuchek, Harrison County Veterans Service Office Manager.
SCIO – A Scio resident appeared before Scio’s council at Wednesday night’s meeting to ask what is going to be done about the massive gouge to the side of Ohio 646, where it meets Ohio 151 just across the railroad tracks. Resident Floyd Burdett noted the wheel of his trailer practically disappeared while driving through the waterfilled hole that he said has been there for approximately one year. He said one can’t see the depth of the hole with the water filling it up and joked, or maybe not, that he’s “seen some rubber duckies floating around in there.” “I came around that corner and my trailer tire dropped in there, it shoved my axel back a foot…” Burdett explained then added what was needed for repairs on more than one occasion. “What is going to be done about it?” That question has sought an answer from council themselves as well as Village Administrator Jason Tubaugh. During the Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce gathering of local politicians and district representatives, that question was asked of Congressman Bill Johnson-R (District-6). But Johnson had no answer either, stating, “we’re behind” in infrastructure needs. “I feel your frustration, trust me, I’ve been in the same boat,” Tubaugh told Burdett. “This has been an ongoing issue for the village…that intersection has been discussed on several occasions.” He then went on to explain that not only has the local ODOT office but their office in New Philadelphia, as well as the state’s ODOT office in
See SCIO PG. 5
Commissioners accept bid for courthouse entrance renovation By JD LONG
jim@harrisonnewsherald.com
CADIZ – The long silence on what is next for the new entrance to the Harrison County courthouse was broken Wednesday when the Commissioners officially approved G&M Construction of Zanesville to do the work. The winning bid was for $119,000, which to some seemed less expensive than anticipated. Commissioner Dale Norris read the agreement (57-19) where it stated that “The Contractor shall furnish all supervision, technical personnel labor, materials,
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machinery, tools, equipment and services…” Commissioner Paul Coffland stated that the “auditor did also certify funds available, just for the record.” Coffland also stated that the project is expected to commence in about six weeks after the various materials are secured. The new courthouse entrance will need to be handicap accessible, and include sensor machines with bulletproof glass and drywall. The Commissioners also said there would be some type of canopy for the new entrance and there will be a capability of buzzing the public in. Sheriff’s deputies will still be on site for security, as well.
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Commissioner Don Bethel stated after the meeting he was initially concerned about the project if the cost would have been $100,000 in additional expenses but in the end, he was pleasantly surprised for what is involved. Also, the commissioners gave their approval to Assistant Director of the Harrison County Department of Jobs & Family Services (HCDJFS), Deb Knight for her to hire a Program Social Specialist. Knight said the position is a newly created one for their children’s services unit “to assist our case
See BID PG. 5
Area
The damaged road that sits at the intersection of Ohio 646 and 151 just across the bridge in Scio, has been a point of contention for over a year now. The issue was raised by a Scio resident at Wednesday’s council meeting where it was noted that state and local officials have been made aware but the fact is the town doesn’t have the money to fix the nearly $500,000 problem.
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