The Free Press Standard, December 19, 2019

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C o n t i n u i n g To P r o u d l y S e r v e C a r r o l l C o u n t y S i n c e 1 8 3 1 $1.00

Thursday, December 19, 2019

freepressstandard.com

Commissioners ready for weather station installation By NANCY SCHAAR FPS Correspondent

May you find Peace, Love and Joy this holiday season This nativity scene may be found on Roswell Road (state Route 39) on the front lawn of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. As you enjoy the holiday season, take a few moments to enjoy the beautiful displays created by area residents, churches and businesses. The FPS wishes everyone a Merry Christmas.

Carrollton Business Women honors Caring Hands for its service to residents By KIMBERLY LEWIS FPS Editor The Carrollton Business Women chose not to honor a Woman of the Year at this year’s annual banquet at Our Lady of Mercy Hall, but to honor a local organization that has provided support to area residents suffering from financial hardships caused by illness. Janet Smith praised the Carroll County Caring Hands for assisting those affected by illness as she recognized the organization as Carrollton Business Women’s Organization of the Year. Smith presented flowers and a donation to surprised Caring Hands board members Tammy Sanderson, Debbie Herrington and Melanie Campbell. Sanderson and Herrington are also members of the Carrollton Business Women. Campbell provided the program and talked about the services provided by

Carroll County Caring Hands, unaware the organization was going to be honored. Carroll County Caring Hands is a 501c3 non-profit formed in 2016 to assist Carroll County residents who are suffering a financial hardship created by a medical diagnosis, illness, accident or chronic condition. Campbell noted the nine-member board meets every other month, but will vote by e-mail when considering an application for assistance. “We can help usually within 24 hours,” she explained. It was noted that area agencies, such as the Friendship Center and Salvation Army, have $25 gas cards to provide for a one-time emergency assistance to individuals who are applying for help. “We don’t give people money. It is neighbor helping neighbor,” she said. “We pay bills, give gas cards and other things to assist the families.” Since it began, the group has created a network of organizations, agencies

and medical facilities to assist in their efforts. Campbell explains volunteers can match people to an existing agency that can provide a necessary service or the organization can help find volunteers to drive a patient to his or her treatments. She noted the board has not limited its scope of assistance, which allows the group to pay for school lunches for a family in need. Campbell estimates the organization has spent nearly $22,000 assisting area families since it began and holds fundraisers throughout the year. Anyone wanting more information or to apply for assistance may message the volunteers on Facebook (search for Carroll County Caring Hands) or e-mail ccch4u@gmail.com. Carrollton Business Women President Susan Williamson welcomed the members and guests in attendance. Elaine Painting gave the invocation. Smith led members in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Carroll County Emergency Management Director Tom Cottis updated commissioners at the Dec. 12 meeting regarding the installation of a weather station at the county airport. Cottis said the paperwork is ready to go and it should be installed by the end of the year. The calibration will be done in January and the unit should be online by the end of January. Funding for the station will come from a grant that will reimburse the county for the cost of the station. The only cost to the county will be a low monthly maintenance cost. County Airport Authority Board members Karen Carlisle and Al Jeske met with commissioners and presented them with a copy of the proposed draft of the Airport Zoning resolution. Carlisle said she prepared the document using other county zoning resolutions as a guideline. The proposed resolution defines numerous issues regarding the zoned area of the airport and identifies restrictions, limitations and variances for the “stay out” zone. This area begins in the center of the runway and extends 5,000 feet in all directions, according to Carlisle. Discussion was held regarding the need for an airport manager and the potential role that person would play in the zoning board and the Airport Zoning Board of Appeals. The role of the EMA director in this position was also discussed. Commissioner Jeff Ohler questioned Carlisle if residents in this zoned area are aware of the height restrictions given for trees as well as any structures that would be built. Carlisle responded by saying, no. “If I was queen for a day, I would send letters to all property owners if they are under the stay out zone,” said Carlisle. Commissioner Lewis Mickley responded that the 5,000 feet would extend out past State Route 332. Commissioner Bob Wirkner replied that it gobbles up the whole village. Resident Paul Lemmon brought up a problem with a sewer connection with the Carroll County Environmental Service, which services Brown Township, including Lake Mohawk. Discussion was held between commissioners, Lemmon and Environmental Services Director Ralph Castellucci. Lemmon said that he had built a home at Lake Mohawk and received instructions for Paul Robertson, a contractor, and from Castellucci that were conflicting. Lemmon charged that Castellucci was negligent in his inspections for work done on the property. “I don’t feel I should have to pay for his mistakes,” said Lemmon. Lemmon

provided copies of letters and emails detailing the work that was done, information about inspections and directions for work to be done. Issues were discussed regarding specific items not done according to the permit regulations. Commissioners agreed that part of the work done will have to be dug up, inspected and regulations followed for approval of the sewer system. Wirkner informed the board that during the last Regional Transportation Improvement Program discussion was held regarding the lack of sidewalks in the business area on Canton Road. “We have restaurants, hotels and other services in that area but no sidewalks,” said Wirkner. Wirkner also advised that there are two committee’s with the RTIP Initials. He serves on the Regional Transportation Improvement Program while the other RTIP refers to the Regional Transportation Improvement Project. In other business commissioners: - HEARD a request from Sheriff Dale Williams to meet with Wirkner regarding a safety issue. - APPROVED Wirkner’s signature on a Memorandum of Understanding with Morgan County to initially pay $160,000 for the equipment that will enable the 911 dispatch center to process text messages. The cost to our county is $10,667. - LEARNED the contract with the village and Carroll County Transit remains at $100 per day for residents needing transportation within the village limits. - APPROVED a special hauling permit for Mervin Troyer for portions of Andora and Cobbler roads. A $50,000 bond has been paid as required by county Engineer Brian Wise. - APPROVED a contract with Best Commercial Energy Services of Akron for $2,874 for annual heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment maintenance through December 31, 2020. - AUTHORIZED a special hauling permit for DeNoon Lumber Company, LLC for hauling over Castle Road in Perry Township. A $50,000 bond has been set by county Engineer Brian Wise. - HELD a public viewing of two alleys in Leavittsville that have been proposed to be vacated. - AGREED to increase the flag fund for Memorial Day by $250. That will increase the grant to $850 per year. - APPROVED a contract with Carroll County Transit and Carroll County Council on Aging to provide service at $1.75 per mile for the year of 2020. - RECEIVED the dog pound report with four impounded, two adopted out, none redeemed, zero destroyed, one citation for no license and one citation for running at large.

Early deadlines are in effect for the holidays The Free Press Standard will have early deadlines for the Christmas issue, Dec. 26, and the New Year’s issue, Jan. 2. The deadlines for display advertising are noon Thursday, Dec. 19 and Jan. 26. For classified ads, the deadlines are noon Thursday, Dec. 19 and Dec. 26. Editorial deadlines are as follows: News, Sports and Accent: 10

a.m. Thursday, Dec. 19 and Dec. 26; Obituaries: 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 20 and Dec. 27; and Letters to the Editor: Noon Thursday, Dec. 19 and Dec. 26. The office will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 24-25, for Christmas and Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. Reminder: The office is closed on Wednesdays.

FPS Photo / Kimberly Lewis

Janet Smith (from left) presented flowers to Caring Hands board members Tammy Sanderson, Debbie Herrington and Melanie Campbell as Carrollton Business Women honored Carroll County Caring Hands for its service to the community during its annual banquet. Sanderson and Herrington are also members of the Carrollton Business Women.

more inside

classified pg. 13

obits pg. 4

opinion pg. 4

sports pg. 8


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