MWCD cuts property assessment again, this time by 66 percent

NEW PHILADELPHIA

Property owners within the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) will see their property assessments paid to MWCD reduced by 66 percent, from $6 dollars to $2, thanks to the approval of the assessment-reduction plan voted on recently by the MWCD Board of Directors.

“We have always been good stewards of these public funds and are very pleased to allow residents in the watershed to keep more of their hard-earned dollars in their pockets,” said Craig Butler, MWCD executive director. “We are making this reduction because the district’s financial position has changed positively. We have been fortunate to earn and invest nearly $200 million in our public-use facilities and recreational areas, and now for the second time, the Board has voted to extend those benefits to the property owners in our watershed by reducing the assessment collection.”

The assessment originally was levied in 2009 at $12 per parcel and was then cut to $6 in 2015. Assessments are collected through landowners’ county property tax payments, and the funds are required to be used by MWCD on the operation and maintenance of the system of 16 dams and reservoirs. The system was constructed nearly 90 years ago for flood reduction and water conservation benefits in the Muskingum River Watershed, as well as other important conservation and reservoir management projects. The assessment reduction will result in an estimated $4 million overall reduction in the total assessments collected in 2024 by the MWCD. The district will still meet its financial commitments to the federal government for dam and reservoir maintenance and conservation and management projects. Routine financial reviews will be important, and in the event of any major changes in the district’s finan- cial position, corresponding adjustments could be made to assessment levels.

“There is a tremendous need across the watershed to provide funding to communities, universities and other conservation organizations that regularly partner with us on projects that protect the people of our region,” said Butler.

“These projects help to prevent costly flooding, minimize soil erosion and nutrient loss from agricultural operations, assist with upgrading essential community services, and preserve and rehabilitate sensitive lands for public use. MWCD is proud to be a sponsor of these projects as they support our core

Cadiz CIC to bring fun to Sally Buffalo

By Alyssa Howard Harrison News-Herald Staff Writer

CADIZ — The Cadiz Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) met Thursday, April 20, with discussions quickly turning to the improvements being made at Sally Buffalo Park before summer goes into full swing.

CCIC member John Vermillion stepped up to discuss the plans for a new recreation area at the park. CCIC plans to add a new basketball court, tennis court, and three pickleball courts. The project is looking like it’s going to have a price tag of about $200,000 in total. The village has $75,000 in reserve from when the old courts were removed, the CIC will contribute the other $75,000 for the courts, and the $46,000 dollars for the fencing needed.

A neat feature they are adding to the new basketball court is two additional nets on each side, so that the larger court can be split into two smaller courts for the younger kids and for tournaments. They are also hoping for the addition of bleachers in the future. Sometime in the future they hope to create a whole recreational area in the park, complete with shelters, picnic benches, and concrete pads for games.

While CCIC has been in talks with Border Patrol Construction out of the local Village of Hopedale, the project must go up for bid. The project will be advertised for three weeks, so bids and contracts can be looked through. They have hopes to break ground here very soon. CCIC members prides themselves on completing tasks in their entirety and doing things first class.

Other updates coming to Sally Buffalo are 48 new sites being added within the next couple years. Seven were added recently by moving around some lots. A fountain is being added to one of the smaller lakes, and the Park Board has intentions on putting up some new swing sets. Camping rates did go up around $15 to $18 this year, with a potential increase next year as well.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like the beach will be opening up again any time soon.

ODNR will be working on a spillway for the dam this coming fall. They currently have a siphon in the lake, right in front of the beach to help keep the lake at a certain level to prevent flooding until the spillway is in place. It is safest for the residents of the village and for those that come to visit the park to be kept out of the swimming area.

CCIC did briefly discuss some updates in the progress of the old post office. They received the Brownfield Grant to have that property demolished. Currently, there is nothing planned for the property right now. The contractor is currently waiting to be awarded environmental and demolition permits.

Cadiz CIC will hold its next meeting on Thursday, May 25, at 6 p.m. at the Municipal Building.

Politics

Recalling Tappan’s 1943 facelift

By Susan

A

Adams

Shedlock the Tappan Boat Landing (marina)

1940 and U.S. 40 and state Route 36.

From the Cadiz Republican July 1943, “The relocated highway follows the contour of Lake Tappan generally. The new pavement is reinforced concrete 22 feet in width with a roadway of 42 feet, compared with the old width of 16 feet and 26 feet. It was necessary to raise the new road grade from 25 to 35 feet at some points to clear the permanent lake level. “A 22-foot span bridge, 32 feet in height, was construct- ed to act as an equalizer for Tappan Lake so as to permit travel by boat from one section of the lake to the other. Road grades were reduced from eight percent to a maximum of 1.8 percent.

“Curves were reduced from 30 percent to a five percent maximum. Elevation of the relocated road is 906 feet above sea level, which is considerably above flood stage behind Tappan Dam.” mission and allow us to give back to the communities that are in our backyard.”

In addition, the MWCD has spent assessment funds on shoreline stabilization projects at the MWCD lakes and dredging of the lakes. Assessment revenues by law cannot be used to pay for projects that enhance or improve the MWCD’s recreational programs and facilities, and all expenditures must be covered by guidelines stipulated in the Amendment to the Official Plan of the MWCD that was approved in 2005 by the Conservancy Court and the Board of Directors.

Commissioners bid EMS service again

Cornelia Grace Harrison News-Herald Reporter

CADIZ — At the April 19 Harrison County Commissioner meeting, Commissioners Amy Norris and Dustin Corder read a recommendation that the commissioners accept a bid from Cattrell Companies, Inc. for the courtroom renovation project. The commissioners took the recommendation and awarded the bid to Cattrell.

At the April 26 meeting, Norris and Corder approved several purchase orders and vouchers for the County Home, the Department of Job and Family Services, and the Board of Developmental Disabilities.

The commissioners rescinded a previous agreement: 26-23.

“We realized that the acreage was incorrect, as well as the monetary amount to be paid to the county,” Corder said. They then passed agreement 30-23 which was the same agreement with the correct information.

Two Road Usage Maintenance Agreements were passed. These are common in the are for oil-and-gas trucks utilizing public roads. The company using heavy machinery is willingly responsible for damage or wear and tear to roads that can affect locals. The agreements are a partnership between the public and private sectors that ensures local infrastructure is maintained.

Corder went on to announce that the commissioner’s office will be accepting Requests for Proposals for the

“We have had some talks and we’re confident we’ll get some responses this time,”

- Commissioner Corder back-up EMS service for the county. Most of Harrison Couny has EMS services due to various volunteer departments. Volunteer EMS shows how residents of the community are willing to step up to serve each other. However, this comes with its own limitations. If a volunteer squad is not available at the time of an emergency, people can be left with no help. A backup EMS service was previously contracted by the commissioners with the Harrison Hills Community Hospital. The hospital has chosen not to renew its contract in 2023 so the commissioners have been working through options for the much-needed service.

“We did this a couple months ago,” Corder said. “We didn’t get any response.” Despite the previous hiccups, Corder was optimistic that the county will have a new service soon. “We have had some talks and we’re confident we’ll get some responses this time,” he said.

County Engineer Doug Bachman announced that Fox’s Bottom Road will be closed starting May 30 for bridge repair. The work will take approximately 60 days to complete. More details will be made available closer to the closure date.