T-L Photo/DYLAN McKENZIE Harrison County commissioners stand with members of the Hopedale Volunteer Fire Department in front of the department’s brand new ambulance on Wednesday. Hopedale VFD received the vehicle as part of a levy that provides new ambulances to county departments, and the state-of-the-art vehicle is ready to serve the county. From front are Commissioner Dale Norris, Lt. Austin Marchetta, Fire Chief Mark Marchetta, Commissioner Paul Coffland and Commissioner Don Bethel.

CADIZ — Harrison County commissioners got a look at a brand new emergency medical vehicle Wednesday — one they said was desperately needed by a local department.

The commissioners headed outside to have a look at the shiny new ambulance that is ready for use by the Hopedale Volunteer Fire Department. It was purchased through a voter-approved ambulance levy that supplies new vehicles to departments across the county, according to Hopedale Fire Chief Mark Marchetta. He said he is grateful for the new vehicle, as the one that it replaced was a 2002 model.

“It’s very nice,” Marchetta said. “It’s always good to have a reliable piece of equipment.”

The new ambulance is a 2017 model and is a state-of-the-art machine, according to Marchetta. The vehicle is equipped with four-wheel drive, a back-up camera and a custom designed interior. The vehicle also has all LED lighting and runs on diesel fuel, making it more environmentally friendly. Marchetta said the vehicle has been in service for about a month and has already seen its share of calls. He noted that his department is one of the busier squads in the county, so he is especially appreciative of having a reliable vehicle.

Upon returning inside, commissioners heard from Doug Crabtree, representing the Harrison County Engineer’s Office. Crabtree told the board he had received results of a speed study conducted by the Ohio Department of Transportation on County Roads 2 and 55, also known as Deersville Ridge Road and Deersville Road, respectively. Crabtree said the study, conducted over the last two months, recommended that the posted speed limit on those roads change from 55 mph to 45 mph. The request for the study came from residents in the area, and Crabtree said it was in response to increased traffic on the roads. He added that the lower speed limit will become effective when the signs are replaced, which he hopes will be completed by the end of the week.

In other business, the commissioners approved an advance in the amount of $66,226.84 to the water and sewer department. The money will be used to purchase a new trackhoe for the department to use for jobs that involve digging up and replacing sewer and waterlines. Commissioner Paul Coffland said the advance will be paid back in three installments, the first of which is due in November 2018.

The Harrison County Board of Commissioners meets regularly at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays in the county courthouse, Cadiz.