Stark County board acts on grant

By JOHN A. BALLENTINE
For The Prairie News

TOULON – The Stark County board approved a resolution Tuesday evening at their monthly meeting concerning a potential grant for Green Gables of Bradford.

The resolution states: “Stark County board agrees to submit this application for community development block grant funds and enter into any and all contractual obligations on behalf of this organization.” The board will be the authorized official in applying for a grant.

There is no cost to the county, which “would be the grant recipient” according to board member Tom Howes. Green Gables is asking for $1 million so that they can expand their furniture manufacturing business, in Bradford. The expansion would create 40 additional jobs in Stark County, in addition to the current 70 employees.

The board additionally approved resolutions that appointed Carl Ryan to the zoning board of appeals; and Brandon Simpson and Michael Schott to the Stark County planning commission.

In his Highway report, County Engineer Judd Giffin said Truck No. 4’s electrical problems that effected the transmission have been repaired and that Giffin wants “to get rid of it” by selling the truck. Truck No. 5, a 2009 International, is being repaired at an estimated cost of $11,000. Giffin said that this is the truck that cost the Highway Department $27,000 in repairs several years ago.

Giffin reported that negotiations with Dollar General have been completed. He has spoken with a realtor and had discussions about a party who is possibly interested in the county highway department’s southwest property at the Route 17 and 91 junction. That party would put a gas station at that location.

Finally, an hour-long discussion occurred with Castleton residents who attended the board meeting and requested $73,982 of the county’s remaining $88,000 ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds to put toward resolving Castleton’s water well issues. The county board is hesitant to release funds to an individual or individuals because it could set a precedent for all other private well owners in the county.

The county board requested months ago that the Castleton residents revive the Castleton Water Association, or a similar entity, in order to release funding from one government to another. Castleton residents were asked to do this again Tuesday night.

The county board did approve a $5,000 ARPA expenditure, contingent upon Office of Emergency Management director Mat Schnepple’s advice, for the purpose of having an engineering study performed of the four Castleton water wells to see what is required in re-establishing water to the community.

Castleton residents have been without water for eight months according to the residents.