T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Belmont County commissioner Jerry Echemann approves a memorandum of understanding between Belmont County and the village of Barnesville.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE – The Belmont County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved a memorandum of agreement that represented the next steps in the Barnesville North water line extension project in Kirkwood Township.

The memorandum adopts the environmental review record for the project, a venture between Belmont County and the village of Fairview in Guernsey County.

Commissioners then approved a memorandum of understanding between Belmont County and the Village of Barnesville to used funds from the Community Development Block Grant for the project.

In March, the project received $750,000 to aid in the extension of public water service to the unincorporated areas of Mount Olivett and Hendrysburg.

“They only have wells out there and the wells are no good. And like anyone, they need water, and it looks like they’re finally going to get it,” Echemann said. “Some grant money came in from the EPA and other sources, and the project’s been expanded a little bit.

“Originally going to be a county project,” he continued. “Now it’s technically a Village of Barnesville project. Barnesville supplies water and will take care of the lines and stuff like that. And we also are going to help Fairview, which is right across the county line of Guernsey County, because they’re in a situation similar to Hendrysburg.”

The project has previously received funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission and Water Supply Revolving Loan Fund Account and H2Ohio funding, which are both Ohio EPA programs.

Echemann added that the project’s expansion will allow Fairview, Mount Olivett, and Hendrysburg access to clean water. He previously said that the $750,000 grant will waive tap-in fees for residents who don’t have access to water in the unincorporated areas.

“It’s my understanding that 105 people have now signed up to get taps. It’s moving along well,” Echemann said. “We’re all really happy about it and I’m sure they’re happy about it out there too.”

He then announced that the board of commissioners and Shadyside village council will be holding a town hall meeting on Wed. April 29 at 6 p.m. at the village’s municipal building.

Echemann encouraged all residents to attend and said that public input is more than welcomed.

Commissioners then voted to purchase a 2027 International dump truck cab and chassis for $113,748 from Rush Truck Center through the State of Ohio Cooperative Purchasing Contract. Echemann said that the purchase was based upon the recommendation of engineer Terry Lively.

“I’ll note that this will be paid for with K13 equipment, funds,” Echemann said. “It’s my understanding that this dump truck will come in two parts and has to be put together. We’ve kid Terry about how we expect him to put it together himself.”

He added that the State of Ohio Cooperative Purchasing Contract allows the county to not be required to seek bids but to just search for the best price.