By Carol McIntire
Editor
September 25, 2012
Carroll County Commissioners accepted the bid of Benchmark Construction for the Department of Job and Family Services retaining wall/parking project last Thursday.
Benchmark submitted the lowest bid of four bids for the project at $61,926 with an alternate of $6,841. Commissioner Tom Wheaton asked where the money was coming from to complete the project.
Commissioner Doyle Hawk, who has headed up the project for commissioners, said he “guessed” it was coming from the oil and gas lease proceeds.
“Originally I thought it was only going to be about $20,000 to $25,000 for the project,” Hawk said. “I know the project needs to be done but it is much more than I expected.”
Hawk noted the architect’s estimate for the project was $85,000, so the bid is under that estimate.
The project has been underway for over a year. Kate Offenberger, director of DJFS requested the village vacate an alley located to the east of their Main St. office, which was granted. When an alley is vacated, ownership reverts to the adjoining property owners, so DJFS assumed ownership of half of alley. The county purchased the other half from the property owner, which will allow for the construction of a retaining wall to alleviate water runoff problems that flow into the building and for the construction of a handicap parking area and entrance to the building.
“I would have never believed this project was going to take this long,” commented Hawk, “but we have to get it done and the sooner the better.”
In other business, commissioners:
-SIGNED documents accepting the 2013 Victim Assistance grant totaling $57,419 in federal funds and $7,935 in state funds.
-SIGNED a contract with Russ Kiko Associates to conduct the county surplus auction Oct. 4 at 4:30 p.m. Payment will be 10 percent of the proceeds.
-APPROVED right of ways for CTL Engineering to conduct geotechnical borings on Industrial Rd. in Center Twp. and for Sound Energy to construct a driveway on Azalea Rd.
-MODIFIED an agreement for Julian and Grube extending the agreement though Dec. 31, 2012, to conduct the county audit at the request of Auditor E. Leroy VanHorne. It was noted there will not be any additional charge.
-MET in executive session with Prosecutor Donald R. Burns to discuss pending litigation.
-AGREED to transfer $13,829.15 from the Clerk of Courts Title Administration fund to the Sheriff’s Department to pay for paint and the transfer of necessary equipment from a used Sheriff’s Department cruiser to a 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe donated to the Sheriff’s Department by Chesapeake Energy. Clerk of Courts William “Bill” Wohlwend made the request, saying there is plenty of money in the fund and he would like to help the Sheriff’s Department.
-RECEIVED the weekly dog pound report for Sept. 17-22 showing 18 dogs impounded, 14 tagged and three redeemed. One citation was issued to a dog owner without a proper license. Commissioners announced a private citizen has volunteered to pay for the deputy dog warden to attend training on euthanasia of dogs. The training will be held in October.
-LEARNED from Commissioner Tom Wheaton Atwood Lake Resort and Golf Course will open Oct. 1 as planned. He said some left over items fro the lodge will go into the county sale Oct. 4.
-DISCUSSED raising rates at the Golden Age Retreat (GAR). Commissioners asked Superintendent Ollie Hawkins to attend the Sept. 27 meeting to discuss the matter. |
