Photo by Linda Harris The Jefferson County commissioners proclaim April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in recognition of the importance of families and communities working together to strengthen families to prevent child abuse and neglect. Last year caseworkers investigated 420 reports involving the well-being of children in Jefferson County — 96 of them for families in need of services and for dependency cases. The remaining 324 cases involved allegations of abuse and neglect, of which 34 were substantiated. Celebrating the proclamation are, from left, Commissioners Eric Timmons and Tony Morelli; Glenda Jones of the Department of Children Services; and Commissioner Jake Kleineke.

STEUBENVILLE — The Jefferson County Commissioners signed a resolution of intent Thursday that clears the way for the Ohio Public Works Commission to release funding for a pricey water line repair under U.S. Route 22 near Bloomingdale.

OPWC awarded the county’s Water and Sewer District a $76,000 grant in addition to a $30,000 loan to cover the emergency repairs. Director Mike Eroshevich said OPWC will pay a little more than 88 percent of the total cost of the work.

Commissioner Tony Morelli pointed out they had no choice but to fix the leak, which occurred in January.

“When an incident like this happens, we have to move it, correct?” he asked.

“It’s the law, we have to do it,” Assistant Director Jonathan Sgalla confirmed.

Commissioners approved a contract between the Department of Jobs Family Services and the Community Action Council to provide $64,305 in summer employment and training services to children living in Jefferson County who are eligible under the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program.

Also accepted was the resignation of longtime Trustee Tom Wilson of the Jefferson County Law Library and Law Library Association.

Wilson, one of the founding trustees of the resource board, resigned his appointments, effective immediately.

Librarian Jeanmarie L. Byrge said in addition to his 15 years as a trustee of the organization, Wilson served more than 30 years as trustee of the Law Library Association Board and has “been a faithful advocate and a mentor to myself and the law librarians preceding me.”

Commissioners have 60 days to fill the vacancy.

Contracts with Jefferson Landmark and Riley Petroleum for fuel and East Fairfield Coal Co. for aggregates for the engineering department also were approved.