NEWS RELEASE

Monday, July 17, 2017

 

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, July 17, 2017 in the Commissioners’ Session Room at 500 Court Street, Defiance, Ohio 43512. Commissioner Ryan Mack called the meeting to order.  Also present were Commissioners Mick Pocratsky and Gary Plotts, Sherry Carnahan, Finance Manager/Administrator, and Stephanie Metz, Clerk.

 

The Commissioners met in General Session and approved and signed various resolutions, contracts and documents. The Commissioners also reviewed the calendar of events and discussed upcoming meetings.

 

Warren Schlatter, Defiance County Engineer, met with the Commissioners to provide an update from the Engineer’s Office and the Landfill. Warren stated that they recently replaced a culvert on Cicero Road south of Buckskin Road; this road should open on Monday. The crew will then begin the replacement of a culvert on Switzer Road east of Dowe Road. Warren also reported sales of $399,168.30 from 12,798.65 tons and 47,594 cubic yards in June; this compares to sales of $398,708.03 from 13,519.68 tons and 45,237 cubic yards in June, 2017.

 

Jerry Hayes, Defiance County Economic Development Director, met with the Commissioners to provide a monthly update.

 

Heather Barth, ACRES Land Trust, met with the Commissioners to inform them that the Black Swamp Audubon Society recently donated Preston Island in the Maumee River to ACRES Land Trust. She reported that ACRES Land Trust is a non-profit land conservancy organization based in Huntertown, Indiana. They preserve and protect land forever. As of last week, the organization had approximately 6,700 acres preserved. She then inquired as to if there were any ideas of uses of Preston Island. The Commissioners explained that there are steps being taken for a bike trail along the river from Defiance to Independence Dam State Park and to make the Maumee River a Blue Water Trail. They stated that to have Preston Island as a destination for canoe and kayak trips, along with signage on the island detailing the history of the island. She did state that the island cannot be used for overnight camping, since it is a preserve. She stated that the first step in the process is for their organization to survey and inventory the island (wildlife, plant life, archeology, geology, hydrology, etc.). The next step would be to find a Steward for the land; this person would be a volunteer that would visit the site on a regular basis, and if willing, provide some maintenance of the land.

 

Randy Vogel, Defiance County Dog Warden, met with the Commissioners to provide a quarterly update. Randy reported that for the first half of the year there were 459 complaints investigated that resulted in 81 dogs taken to the shelter, 58 warnings, and 155 citations. There also was $4,490.11 received in Municipal Court Fines.

 

 

The Commissioners met with representatives from Historic Homes of Defiance, Andrew Tuttle Memorial Museum, Fort Defiance Chapter DAR, and Black Sea School to discuss their applications for Community Historic Preservation Funds. Defiance County received $50,000.00 as a result of the proposed construction of the Rover Pipeline. This is a one-time opportunity for the County to bolster the history of the County without expense to the budget and without any on-going obligations. The Commissioners committed funds to each of these entities, with the final dollar amounts to be determined after additional information is received from some of the organizations.

 

 

Release Approved:          ____________________________________________________         

                                         Ryan Mack, Defiance County Commissioner