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ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- The Belmont County Board of Commissioners took some time Wednesday to recognize Mayson Sochor of Bellaire High School, who made history in early June by becoming the Division III 110-meter high hurdles state champion.
Sochor, a junior, competed at the Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus.
Commissioner J.P. Dutton and others noted Sochor was Bellaire High School's first champion hurdler.
"It's a big deal, honestly, to have a state champion," Dutton said. "It's a big achievement, and we think it definitely needs to be recognized because you've made Belmont County very proud and we want to take a moment to tell you that."
Sochor thanked them, adding that track has been a part of his life for the past four years.
"I always wanted to place, but I didn't expect to win," he said.
Several family members attended Wednesday's meeting with Sochor. They thanked Bellaire High School officials for attending the event in support of him.
Afterward, Sochor said he is still considering careers to pursue after graduating.
In other matters, the commissioners gave an update on the Blaine Hill gravity force main replacement project, part of the process of upgrading water and sewer services for the county. The commissioners signed an Ohio Department of Development water and wastewater infrastructure program grant agreement for $858,750.
"This is the sewer that leaves the (Ohio Valley) mall area and plaza area and eventually makes its way to the East Ohio Regional Waste Authority facility along the Ohio River," Dutton said. "This is the next of other priority projects in the sewer department. We have both water projects and sewer projects we're wrapping up through the USDA packet we've been talking about. This is kind of the next phase of the projects and the first one on the sewer side."
He said the county was also able to secure $800,000 with the help of U.S. Rep Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, through a federal appropriations bill.
"So now, over $1.65 million for this project and we have another application in with the Appalachian Regional Commission which could potentially be successful," Dutton said.
He said the county is applying for $250,000. As of the last estimate two years ago, the project cost would be $1.8 million.
"We're doing everything we can to bring in as much outside dollars to Belmont County in general and particularly for infrastructure," Dutton said. "The only reason we're successful is because of the rate-payers, the customers of Belmont County Sanitary Sewer District."
He said in 2017 the commissioners voted to increase water rates over the coming years. He said this move has made improvements possible.
"Not too long ago, we would not have qualified for these type of grants because unfortunately our rates weren't where they needed to be. Funding sources were saying the rates our customers were paying were too low, we couldn't qualify for grants," Dutton said. "We do want to extend our thanks to the rate-payers, because we had to make significant changes to the rates. We just got behind. … We understand it's difficult to pay the higher rates, we are trying to do as much as we can to show how much we're putting those rates to good use with our new water plant wrapping up, and with these new projects trying to bring as much outside funding to try to lessen the burden as much as we can. Rates are always going to be an issue moving forward."
Dutton said the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is requiring water and sewer districts to make an asset management plan to show they are capable of maintaining their systems.
"That puts a lot of pressure on districts to look at their rates and look at what they really need to do moving forward to make sure they can still provide safe water and healthy sewer systems for their customers and residents."
Also, the commissioners thanked two anonymous donors who gave $8,000 and $1,000 to the Belmont County Animal Shelter. Dutton said the donations are welcome, adding that a new shelter building is among the improvement projects on the agenda. He said the scope and cost are to be determined.
"We do continue to evaluate interest packets from various engineers and consultants as we begin the very early stages of evaluating a potential new facility," he said. "We have not yet made our selections in terms of a short list of firms we're talking to."