Stony Lake update and new staff hire highlighted at meeting

Environmental Health Director Tina Bernard delivered an update on the Stony Lake community at the November Board of Health meeting. The area was officially declared a public health nuisance in June. The Directors Final Findings and Orders were signed by the county commissioners at their Oct. 9 meeting and returned to the Ohio EPA, which issued its final signature Oct. 16.

A meeting was held Friday, Nov. 21, with the commissioners, Ohio EPA, the Thrasher Group, Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association, Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District and Carroll County Environmental Services to discuss next steps. A larger public meeting with Stony Lake residents is tentatively planned for December.

Bernard said she does not want to meet with residents until more information is available. She said upcoming discussions with partner agencies will allow officials to answer questions and help residents feel more confident during the transition.

The Environmental Division also introduced a new full-time registered environmental health specialist in training. Tessa Bodo attended the meeting and introduced herself to the board. She has already participated in point-of-sale inspections, water samples, site reviews and septic installations, and will begin food inspections soon.

Health Commissioner Kelly Morris reported on her visit to the Malvern Wellness Center ribbon-cutting Oct. 30. Gov. Mike DeWine also attended the ceremony, which celebrated a center funded through the Appalachian Community Grant Program. Morris said Brown Local elementary students lined the halls as the governor and his wife greeted them. She said the center includes exercise equipment and is open to the community free of charge seven days a week until 6 p.m.

The communicable disease report showed an increase in tick-borne illnesses. Nursing Director Jessica Slater urged residents to use DEET-based repellant during hunting season, noting that deer cannot detect it and that ticks remain active through fall and winter.

The financial report showed year-to-date revenue of $1,614,034 and year-to-date expenses of $1,444,952, leaving revenue over expenses of a positive $169,083. With the 2024 carryover, the October balance was $850,791. Total income for the month was $112,379.

In other matters, the board:

— Approved Oct. 15 minutes.

— Approved Oct. 29 Personnel and Policy Committee Minutes.

— Held the second public hearing of Food Service Operation and Retail Food Establishment license fees for the 2026 license year.

— Approved the October 2025 budget.

— Approved payment of October 2025 expenses of $118,867.65

— Approved appropriation amendments Nov. 19 in the Septic, General Environmental and Health funds to cover remaining expenses and advances for Fiscal Year 2025.

— Reduced appropriations Nov. 19 in the Adolescent Health Resiliency, Public Health Workforce, Enhanced Operations, Health, Food, Reproductive Health, Public Health Emergency Preparedness, Nursing, Water, Water Pollution Control Loan Fund and Drug Free Communities funds.

— Approved the transfer of a portion of the subdivision settlement from the Health fund to the Nursing fund in the amount of $25,000 and to the Environmental fund in the amount of $5,000.

— Approved the transfer of $41.06 from the Health fund to the COVID-19 Enhanced Operations fund to cover a negative balance.

— Approved the advance of $15,000 from the General Health fund to the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund to cover a negative balance.

— Approved the refund of Johnny Manzonie of Manzonie Excavating in the amount of $724 for the payment of a septic permit at 8125 Scio Road SE, Scio.

— Approved the refund of David Trimble in the amount of $350 for the payment of an unnecessary point-of-sale inspection at 1093 Alliance Road, Minerva.

— Ratified the Health Commissioners signature for the amendment of an agreement with the Ohio Department of Health to extend the Healthy Eating, Active Living grant to Dec. 31, 2025.

— Hired Tessa Bodo as a full-time registered environmental health specialist in training at an hourly rate of $20 beginning Nov. 3.

— Accepted the resignation of Tonya Phillips, full-time public health nurse, effective Nov. 13.

— Agreed to close the health department for the afternoon Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 and pay employees four hours of holiday pay.

— Ratified the Health Commissioners signature for the MOU with United Way of Greater Stark County to receive $5,000 in funding for a Community Resource Support Program project.

— Approved the adoption of the health district Performance Bonus Policy and Procedure.

— Agreed to award employees who meet eligibility requirements outlined in the policy with a 3% bonus for those achieving the top score in their annual evaluation and a 1.5% bonus for those achieving the secondary score.

— Met in executive session from 7:09 to 7:32 p.m. in accordance with ORC 121.22 G 1 to discuss the compensation of a public employee or official.

— Approved a 3% cost-of-living wage adjustment effective Dec. 6 for all full-time employees.

— Adjourned at 7:35 p.m.