ST. CLAIRSVILLE - Belmont County Commissioners' regular meeting took place at the Jamboree in the Hills site Wednesday.
A quarterly tourism report from Eugene Householder led the discussion.
In March, Householder reported to meeting members of the Scenic Byway and Federal Highway Administration to share information about Drovers' Trail through several communities, as well as the remodeling of the sheriff's residence.
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T-L Photo/ ROBERT A. DEFRANK
EUGENE HOUSEHOLDER, Belmont Tourism Council, gave a quarterly report to the commissioners during their meeting at the Jamboree in the Hills site. Pictured are Commissioners Charles R. Probst Jr. and Matt Coffland.
He attended various events and board meetings. A total of $59,000 in grants were approved.
April marked the first Belmont County Rubberneck Tour meeting. Householder was also present at the recent oil and gas expo at the Carnes Center.
"I think that was a huge success," he said.
Progress was also made in May. Regarding the four-year project to obtain national road signs, five were picked up for St. Clairsville, Morristown, Bridgeport, and Blaine Bridge. The bridge will receive two of the signs.
Brochures are also being passed out at Wheeling CVB and Oglebay Park.
Rubberneck Tour meetings continued. T.J. Jeffers of the Spiedel area has given permission to allow his property to be used as a stop.
Householder also noted the Dickinson Cattle Ranch's familiarization tour sponsored by the tourism council. A total of 22 people attended.
June featured such events as the National Road Wagon Train, which included nine covered wagons and six outriders. They stopped at the Great Western School and worked their way to Cumberland Pointe Care Center and stayed overnight at the BC Saddle Club.
In other matters, commissioners approved and signed a subordination of mortgage agreement for $108,000 regarding a property owned by Michael J. Goclan of Martins Ferry, based on the recommendation of the housing rehab specialist of Belomar Regional Council. The county currently holds a lien through a past Community Housing Improvement Program grant and Goclan is refinancing.
Commissioners motioned to approve and authorize Commissioner Charles R. Probst, Jr., to sign on behalf of the board to enter into the Ohio Public Works Project Grant Agreement for the a bridge replacement project in the amount of $339,600. The bridge is located on Sand Hill Road southeast of State Route 147 in Neffs.
Commissioners approved Martins Ferry's application for the use of municipal street fund/vehicle license tax totaling $67,215.74 for improvements to Concord Street from Grand Avenue to Catawba Street, the Fifth and Center Street intersection, Delia Street intersections on Eighth, Ninth and Fox Streets, and Border Lane. Money will be drawn from the vehicle license tax fund.
Commissioners motioned to enter into a renewal of contract with Student Services for $19,281 effective July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013 to provide administrative services for the Ohio Children's Trust Fund Child Abuse Prevention Program.
Commissioners adopted a resolution to levy a tax in excess of the 10-mill limitation. It is for a one-mill, five year levy for Belmont County 911 Public Safety emergency radio communications system and equipment.
Commissioners motioned to reappoint the members of the port authority board for a four-year term July 20, 2012-July 20, 2016. They are William Knox of Barnesville, Scott Mazzulli of Bridgeport and Michael Schucker of St. Clairsville.
DeFrank can be reached at rdefrank@timesleaderonline.com
