Carroll County Commissioners hear winter storm response update, well fire update

Carroll County Commissioners heard an update from EMA Deputy Director Dustin Lucas regarding last weekend’s winter storm and an oil and gas-related fire during their Jan. 29 meeting.

Lucas said the National Weather Service is using 12 inches as the county’s total snowfall from the storm, noting snowfall totals varied across the county. He said county, local and courthouse snow crews did “a fantastic job” responding to the storm.

Lucas said the EMA was active on social media throughout the event, sharing weather updates and safety tips. He said the communication was well received by residents and will continue during future weather events.

Lucas addressed questions regarding warming centers, saying the county has permanent warming center locations and a longer internal list of “pop-up” shelters that can be opened as needed. He said there were no calls to open warming centers and the county did not experience power outages.

Lucas also updated commissioners on a Jan. 28 fire reported about 5 p.m. at a well pad on Fisherman Road. He said Carrollton and Delroy fire departments, the sheriff’s office, EMA and industry personnel responded along with state officials as needed.

Lucas said the well head was not on fire and the incident involved equipment on the pad, including a compressor. He said a truck driver initiated an emergency shutdown and safety systems operated as designed.

Lucas said pressure was later relieved from compressors as part of the response, creating a loud noise that could be heard at a distance. He said gas monitoring was used throughout the incident and there was no danger to the public.

“There was never any danger to the public at any point,” said Lucas. “There has been some rumors and personal Facebook communication on the internet through the county, but the well head was not on fire.”

Commissioner Chris Modranski thanked county departments, emergency responders and road crews for their work during the recent winter storm.

In other business, commissioners:

—APPROVED an agreement with Joshua Link to redesign and rebuild the county website.

—APPROVED a request under the Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program to extend a project deadline to Feb. 18, for a project at 6058 Edmonton Road, East Rochester, Ohio, due to delays with an asbestos contractor.

—PAID the bills totaling $76,143.41 and approved bills without prior certification.

—HIRED Ashley Mutton as a unit support worker at a rate of $17.40, effective Feb. 2. Burns said Mutton previously worked for the agency and is returning.

—HEARD Commissioner Donald Leggett II provide an update on the annex building, noting work continues and that door locks have been installed. He said the board of elections is coordinating access so its IT staff can begin installing equipment in advance of the move.

—APPROVED an animal shelter report for the week of Jan. 18 through Jan. 24.

—HEARD an announcement that Caring Hands will hold a Valentine’s Day bake sale Feb. 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the second floor of the courthouse.

—HEARD a reminder that the American Red Cross offers free smoke alarms and installation, with additional information shared on the commissioners’ Facebook page.

—THANKED county departments, emergency responders and road crews for their work during the recent winter storm.