DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2002

NEWS RELEASE

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in the Conference Room of the Board at 500 Court Street, Defiance, Ohio at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, December 30, 2002. Present at this meeting were: Commissioners Otto L. Nicely, Thomas L. Kime and Richard L. Cromwell, Becky Wagner, Administrator, Alison Grimes, Clerk and Joan Brown, Deputy Clerk.

8:30 a.m. Commissioners reviewed the agenda for the day, and signed a number of resolutions presented by the Clerk.

At 9:15 a.m. Judge Joseph Schmenk, Common Pleas Court, gave the Oath of Office to the County’s new Commissioner, Richard L. Cromwell.

9:30 a.m. Gaylon Davis, County Engineer, scheduled for this time slot, stopped in just long enough to let the Commissioners know that snow removal was going well.

10:00 a.m. Tim Houck, County Landfill Director, presented his monthly update for the Commissioners. Commissioners signed an engineering agreement between the Landfill and Mannik and Smith Group for environmental engineering, investigation, remediation and regulatory compliance services for the Landfill. The contract is for 2003.

A proposal has finally been received for woods removal at the landfill. Lee Frank, from Defiance, will remove the necessary trees for $850.00.

Tornado debris is still being received at the Landfill from Paulding County.

The County’s road litter collection has been completed for 2002. A total of 1,074 miles of county roads were cleared of litter (The grant called for 905 miles).

The next 4-County Joint Solid Waste District meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 27 at 1:30 p.m. at the Williams County Commissioners’ offices.

11:00 a.m. Paulding County Commissioners Maurice Wannemacher and Tony Burkey and Paulding County Administrator Stan Searing and Poggemeyer Design Group engineers Rick Weaver and Ken Maag met with the Board for an update of the Auglaize Sewer Project. Each group reviewed their current status in the project and jointly reviewed funding options, bond counsel choices and the retaining of an appraiser/negotiator when acquiring easements. Poggemeyer Design Group will contact the OWDA for funding information/assistance.

1:30 p.m. Jim Roach and Brad Meyer, representing the Northeastern Local School District, met with the Commissioners regarding an Adams Township TIF. Jerry Hayes, County Economic Development Director, and Todd Helberg, Crescent-News, also attended the meeting. Benefits to both the township and to the county were reviewed. A decision will be made at a later date.

Approved for news release: _____________________________

Otto L. Nicely, Commissioner