Commissioners review demolition bids for Scio and Leesville properties

Carroll County commissioners reviewed demolition bids for several abandoned structures during their March 16 meeting.

Susan Moore of the Ohio Regional Development Corporation presented bid results for the county’s third demolition package, which includes three structures in Scio and Leesville.

The properties scheduled for demolition are located at 4042 Astor Road S.E. in Scio, 45 N. Union St. in Leesville and 45 S. Union St. in Leesville.

Moore said two bids were received for the project. Pro Quality Demolition of Youngstown submitted a bid of $237,400 for the three demolitions. J. Green Excavating of Mechanicstown submitted a lower bid of $148,400.

Moore recommended the bids be reviewed further before awarding the contract. Commissioners voted to table the decision until the March 19 meeting to allow time for review.

In another matter, commissioners approved a $500 request from the VFW Auxiliary to help purchase American flags for placement on veterans’ graves for Memorial Day.

Tammy Newbold, president of the VFW Auxiliary, told commissioners the organization places flags at 11 cemeteries throughout the county each year. She said the cost of flags has increased from about $13 each last year to about $17 this year.

Newbold said the group also orders additional flags each year in case a veteran passes away before Memorial Day.

“This year I’m asking for $500 again to help us with the flags,” Newbold said.

Commissioners noted the county has historically provided the $500 contribution and approved the request.

Commissioners also discussed damage from a severe windstorm that swept through the county over the weekend, leaving downed trees, power outages and significant damage across the area.

Commissioner Robert Wirkner said emergency dispatchers were inundated with calls during the storm response.

Between 3 and 8:30 p.m., dispatchers answered about 400 calls on the non-emergency line and received 163 911 calls. In addition, 131 calls for service were entered through the computer-aided dispatch system.

Wirkner said all three 911 dispatch stations were operating continuously during the event, with day-shift personnel staying over to assist the afternoon shift.

Every county fire department responded to calls during the storm, while the county Emergency Management Agency assisted with reports of damage and other issues.

Commissioners said the storm caused widespread damage across the region, with officials comparing it to the level of destruction seen during Hurricane Ike in 2008.

“We need people to remain patient during times like this,” said Wirkner. “Our emergency responders have been working nonstop, and they’re doing everything they can as quickly as they can.”

In other business, commissioners:

—APPROVED accepting the bid from Ports Petroleum for diesel fuel for the Carroll County Highway Department as recommended by County Engineer Brian J. Wise.

—APPROVED accepting all bids received for ready-mix concrete, road materials and liquid asphalt and road oil for use by the county highway department.

—APPOINTED Krista Crider to the Tax Incentive Review Council for a three-year term retroactive to Feb. 18, 2026 through Feb. 17, 2029.

—APPOINTED Lisa Winkler to the Child Abuse and Child Neglect Regional Prevention Council for a two-year term effective March 27, 2026 through March 27, 2028.

—APPROVED a rental agreement with the Carroll County Agricultural Society in the amount of $546 for use of the Carroll County Fairgrounds Event Center June 26 for the county’s annual defensive driving training.

—HEARD Commissioner Christopher Modranski congratulate Carrollton High School junior Riley Auburn for finishing second in the state wrestling finals and the Malvern High School boys basketball team for advancing to the school’s first state Final Four appearance.

—HEARD a reminder that the county annex building open house and ribbon cutting will be held March 19 at 2 p.m., with tours continuing from 2:30 to 6 p.m.

—PAID the bills of $125,030.06.