Post-meeting release 5/21

Commissioners recognize National EMS Week, thank county EMS volunteers

[Tiffin, OH May 21, 2020] – The Seneca County Board of Commissioners approved a proclamation Thursday night recognizing May 17-23 as National EMS Week.
The cause, which is celebrated during the third week of May each year, is one that is special to Seneca County, due to a strong tradition of volunteerism at Seneca County EMS.
Seneca County Emergency Services Director Ken Majors said EMS volunteers are what has made the department successful for more than 40 years. The department, which was founded in 1979, has had to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic over the past few months. Majors said his personnel has handled the crisis well because of a commitment to preparation.
“The most important thing is to not abandon our priorities of moving forward just because we have been challenged by the pandemic,” he said.
The proclamation states that the delivery of pre-hospital care is a difficult, dangerous and thankless job requiring many hours of training and continuing education.
The commissioners thanked Majors, the volunteers and all other EMS personnel countywide.
In other business, Seneca Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Charlene Watkins gave the board an update on the Attica Veterans Memorial Park project.
She said the ongoing health crisis has delayed the timetable but noted that the project is still moving forward after receiving grant funding and having a successful fundraising campaign.
In November, SRPC worked with Attica officials and the Attica American Legion Post No. 260 to obtain an Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant of $83,380 to complete the project. Watkins said Thursday that the total cost of the project is about $124,000, and it is to be paid for by the grant and other donated funds. A $5,000 donation from the Patriot Day Salute Committee was included for the project.
The park is to be located at the sight of the former Attica Eagles building. In October 2018, the commissioners hosted an event in Attica to celebrate the demolition of that building, which had become blighted. The demolition was possible due to a collaboration of many county agencies including the Seneca County Land Bank, Sutton Bank, Seneca County Prosecutor’s Office, SRPC, Seneca County General Health District and Fostoria Economic Development Corp.
Commissioner Shayne Thomas thanked everyone involved in working toward the creation of the first veterans’ memorial park in Attica. Commissioner Anthony Paradiso also gave a special thanks to all of the volunteers who are helping to install the park.
Watkins said design work for the project is nearly completed.
In other action, the commissioners approved the purchase of land near the Seneca County Airport that was owned by Airport Operator Brad Newman.
The $587,481 purchase of about 37.5 acres is to be 100-percent grant funded by the Federal Aviation Administration. Brian Crosier, from the county’s long-term airport plan consultant Stantec, said the land being purchased is on the south side of the airport and includes several trees and potential obstructions that are to be removed.
Commissioner Mike Kerschner said the county will be reimbursed for the planning and appraisal costs associated with the purchase.
In new business, the board approved:
* A $733.17 supplemental appropriation to the County Sewer District Fund for other expenses.
* A $530,000 supplemental appropriation to the County Engineer’s Maintenance and Repair Fund.
* Two contracts with the IBI Group for the engineering of the Bloomville Sidewalk Project and the Melmore Park Project under the program year 2019 Community Development Block Grant Program.