Harrison County awards bridge replacement bid

The Harrison County Commissioners awarded a bid May 20 for the bridge replacement project on Nottingham Township Road 340.

The bid was awarded to BUDS Inc., which submitted the lowest bid at $612,855.65. The award, approved under Resolution 35-26, is contingent on approval from the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Three other bids were submitted. McConnell Contracting Inc. bid $719,520.50, Black Horse Bridge Construction bid $782,875.50 and Shelly & Sands Inc. bid $877,287.54.

County resident Frank Battilochi appeared before the board to raise concerns about the condition of Edwards Road in Athens Township. Battilochi said the road was paved two years ago, but overload signs residents requested were never installed.

“The road out there right now is starting to come apart within two years,” Battilochi said.

He said the asphalt is being torn up and noted one section coming off Ohio 149, which was paved seven years ago, needs to be patched. Battilochi said township officials told him there was not enough money to complete the work.

“But we cannot get them to do anything out there on the road,” Battilochi said. “There’s sections out there it’s getting really bad.”

Battilochi also questioned where his tax dollars go after being funneled to township trustees. Commissioner Dustin Corder asked whether Battilochi knew how much the township receives in taxes each year. Battilochi said he did not but said taxes on his home increased by $100 per month and he was told the reason was a property tax hike.

“We will investigate these two issues that you raised and get back to you,” Corder said.

Attempts to reach township trustees were unsuccessful.

The commissioners also held the second of two public hearings for the Community Housing Impact and Preservation Program grant. Corder read a notice stating the county will apply for the 2026 CHIP grant, which is administered by the Ohio Department of Development’s Office of Community Enhancements. The county is eligible to apply for $400,000.

Based on input from residents, community service providers and local officials, the county is proposing $232,000 for owner rehabilitation assistance, $120,000 for owner home repair and $48,000 for administration and fair housing.

The board also awarded Demo Group 1, with no asbestos involvement, to Aster Oilfield Inc. in the amount of $7,300. The demolition work involves dilapidated properties in Jewett, Cadiz and Bloomingdale.

The commissioners also approved Resolution 36-26, determining to proceed with submitting to voters the question of levying a tax in excess of the 10-mill limitation. The levy is a five-year renewal.