BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – The Belmont County Board of Commissioners held their weekly meeting Wednesday morning, focusing on transportation issues. They also heard Belmont County Engineer Terry Lively’s update on paving and road access.
Utility and Roadway Use Agreements
The commissioners awarded the bid for the paving of Crescent Road and Emerson Road (County Road 5) to the low bidder, Shelly & Sands, Inc., for $522,588.50 based on Lively’s recommendation. Lively’s estimate for the project was $509,408.61.
The commissioners also entered into two Roadway Use Maintenance Agreements (RUMA):
- Gulfport Appalachia effective March 26, 2025 for water transfer activity at 1.4 miles of County Road 54 (Pipe Creek Road) and 1.5 miles of County Road 56 (Mt. Victory Road) and the bridge on Township Road 129 at the Hartley Water Transfer. There is no bond needed per Lively.
- Blue Racer Midstream effective March 26, 2025 for pipeline activity at 0.25 miles of County Road 54 (Pipe Creek Road) and County Road 56 (Mount Victory Road) at the Yankee to Pipe Creek Pipeline. A bond for $1.5 million is on file.
Barnesville-Bradfield Airport
The Barnesville-Bradfield Airport is requesting $16,927 to shift existing taxiway design, rehabilitate the apron design, relocate the access road and work on hangar access slip repair.
Dutton said representatives from the airport spoke to commissioners recently about the current improvement project.
“They spoke to this project specifically, some of the projects they have accomplished in the last few years, and then this is the next project. It’s a pretty sizable project that they’re looking to tackle along with the FAA. This is the initial phase, as they mentioned that day, the potential multi-million dollar project for improvements in the airport.”
Dutton mentioned that the airport hosts an “airport day” in June that is open to the public and features free plane rides.
Resident Concerns
Doris Barnes of Willow Grove Road near St. Clairsville brought a road condition issue to the commissioners’ attention. She said recent heavy rains caused a tree to fall into Little McMahon Creek and that two other trees may also fall down and block the roadway below the train bridge. Dutton thanked Barnes for the information and said he will notify the Belmont County Emergency Management Agency. He also suggested that County Engineer Terry Lively, who was at Wednesday’s meeting, address the matter.
Belmont County Health Department & Record Center
- Signing of a $3,861.81 construction agreement with Ohio Power Company for temporary electric service at the new Belmont County Health Department building during its construction
- Approval of a $4,416.00 proposal from Grae-Conn to provide all labor, equipment and materials for the Health Department project
Employee travel & new hires
- Approval of county employee travel requests for various senior center employees and a commissioner attending meetings and conferences in Ohio and West Virginia.
- Hiring approvals:
- Larry Usenick as a full-time utility worker for the County Water & Sewer District (effective March 31, 2025)
- Trent McIntire as a full-time utility worker at Belmont County Water & Sewer District (effective March 31, 2025)
Board appointments
- Reappointment of Mike McKeever to the Belmont-Harrison Juvenile District Board of Trustees for a five-year term (March 31, 2025 – March 30, 2030) based on approval and recommendation of Judge Albert Davies, Belmont County Juvenile Court
The next meeting of the Belmont County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Wednesday, April 2 at 10 a.m. in the Belmont County Courthouse.
Follow River News Network for coverage of commission meeting.
