Carroll County commissioners approve grants, advance Route 43 study

Carroll County commissioners met Oct. 9 to discuss several items that came before the board.

Commissioners accepted the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency director’s Findings and Orders related to unsanitary conditions in the Stony Lake residential community. Acceptance of these orders allows the county to move forward with planning and design loans to address wastewater issues, providing the resources and authority needed to begin remediation and infrastructure improvements.

Transit Director Sonja Trbovich presented a resolution authorizing her to apply for multiple Ohio Department of Transportation and Federal Transit Administration grants. These include Section 5339 for vehicle replacement and Section 5311 for operating and maintenance funding. The commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 2025-27, allowing her to proceed with the transit grant applications.

Commissioner Chris Modranski reported that Civil and Environmental Consultants of Columbus completed a Phase I environmental site assessment for the former ODOT garage located on Kensington Road NE in Carrollton. The county received a Brownfield Remediation Grant from the Ohio Department of Development to conduct both Phase I and Phase II environmental assessments. A change order in the amount of $9,520 was approved for the project.

In an unrelated matter, Commissioner Donald Leggett II noted that a new flagpole has been installed at the county annex building.

— HEARD: Commissioner Robert Wirkner announced that Carroll County has been awarded $250,000 through the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association Regional Transportation Planning Organization for a state Route 43 feasibility study. The study will determine the most efficient connector route between Carrollton and the planned U.S. Route 30 interchange near East Canton. The project aligns with ongoing regional transportation goals, and ODOT has agreed to assist in drafting and managing the request for proposals for engineering firms to complete the study.

— HEARD: The Carroll County Friendship Center will host an open house Thursday, Oct. 23, from 4-6 p.m. at 1100 Kensington Road. Activities will include a Trunk or Treat from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., and those planning to hand out candy are asked to RSVP to 330-627-7017 to reserve a parking space.

— APPROVED: A letter of support for the Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District as part of an Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Grant through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. This grant supports the Morgan Raid Battlefield Project, which seeks to preserve and develop property in Carroll County related to the Civil War’s northernmost engagement, a unique piece of local and national history.

— APPROVED: Two septic system projects under the 2024 Water Pollution Control Loan Fund, a $13,500 contract with J.B. Milner Complete Septic Service of Minerva and a $25,200 contract with Jon Stewart Excavating, LLC, of Cadiz to install a septic system on Lunar Road. Both projects were forwarded to the county prosecutor for review.

— PAID: Bills totaling $148,306.46.