T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Belmont County commissioner Jerry Echemann listens as Commissioner J.P. Dutton Belmont County Commissioners are accepting applications for the Belmont County Planning Commission.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Belmont County Animal Shelter got a boost in its pocketbook Wednesday, as Belmont County Cat Stray Shun donated $2,000 to the shelter during the latest Belmont County Board of Commissioners meeting.

“Donations to the Belmont County Animal Shelter are greatly appreciated. There’s just so many generous people when it comes to Belmont County Animal Shelter,” Belmont County Commissioner J.P. Dutton said. “At the top of that list is Belmont County Cat Stray Shun, just in terms of sheer volunteer time.”

He added that Belmont County Cat Stray Shun is also at the top of the list when it comes to monetary donations to the Belmont County Animal Shelter.

“As we’ve mentioned in the past, we’re not required by Ohio Revised Code or State law to care for cats. We are required to care for vicious dogs,” Dutton said. “The cats that are housed at the Belmont County Animal Shelter are cared for under the financial support and volunteer efforts of Belmont County Cat Stray Shun.”

He added that the shelter typically has about 20 to 30 cats at any given time.

“We appreciate the partnership and appreciate all of the good work that they do,” Dutton said.

In other matters, commissioners are now accepting applications to fill a position on the Belmont County Planning Commission. Dutton said the position is a three-year term and applications will be accepted through Friday. Interested parties may stop in or contact the Commissioner’s Office at 740-699-2155, to request an application.

The Planning Commission was formed in 2021 to update zoning regulations in the county since the current ones are from the 1960s. All three commissioners — Dutton, Jerry Echemann, and Vince Gianangeli — are on the planning commission, along with Belmont County Engineer Terry Lively, local Realtors, lawyers and township trustees.

Dutton said that although it’s not required for the applicants, he believes it would be best for them to have a business background. He then made a motion to approve submitting a notice of intent letter to the Ohio Department of Development identifying the Belmont County Land Reutilization Corporation as the Lead Entity Designation for Demolition and Site Revitalization Program.

“We have a couple options and require this funding; one would be for this program to run through the commissioner’s office. The other option, obviously, is through a land bank,” Dutton said. “We’re fortunate to have a land bank in Belmont County that does a lot of really good work, and has for some time.”

He added that the motion is just a continuation of the good work being done in Belmont County. Dutton also reminded the public that a town hall meeting will take place Tuesday, Sep. 9, at 6 p.m. at the Martins Ferry Rec Center, 401 South 4th Street in Martins Ferry.

“Public input is welcome and residents are encouraged to attend,” Dutton said.