News & Events

Solid waste board meets in new offices

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WINTERSVILLE - Ray Amoroso, Jefferson County Township Association representative, was voted chairman in absentia during Monday's meeting of the Belmont-Jefferson Regional Solid Waste Authority Board at the new offices located on the third floor of the former Wintersville Elementary School building on Fernwood Road. School.

Belmont County Commissioner Mark Thomas was voted in as vice chairman, and Dr. Frank J. Petrola, Jefferson County Health Department representative, was voted secretary.

The authority board agreed those officers and a Belmont County representative would comprise the executive committee, which has the power to make decisions, contingent upon the board's approval, between regularly scheduled board meetings.

Jim King, Belmont County Health Department representative, was voted in as the fourth member of the executive committee.

John Abdalla, Jefferson County representative, suggested the board consider giving contracts to Executive Director Patrick Lanagan and legal adviser J.J. Mascio.

"I think (Lanagan) would feel safer if he had a contract; I think they'd both feel safer," said Abdalla.

Thomas noted the contract issue was a subject he believed shouldn't be discussed with Lanagan present. He added there were many committees that need to be established, and members decided the contract and committee issues should be discussed by the executive committee and its recommendations should be presented at the February meeting.

The authority board agreed to hold its meetings the second Monday in January and February and the third Monday in March through December. It was noted an additional meeting place in the Tiltonsville area needs to be obtained, as the current meeting room is only available on the third Monday of the month.

Fiscal officer Dave Hays noted the authority received $708 in fees from the Apex Landfill for the four days it was open in December. There was $10,415.30 in expenditures for the month and the authority had a $171,575.97 cash balance and $168,320.90 in an unencumbered cash balance.

Hays added the authority had completed an audit by the state and there were no findings or corrections. He added there had been a suggestion that there be a more formal way to approve transfers and that appropriations be established, but he added that with the creation of committees, this should not be a problem.

Hays recommended National City Bank handle the authority's finances.

Lanagan said he had discussed the loss of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources funding with the Jefferson and Belmont county commissions and had several options. He said he would have a final proposal for the authority board by the February meeting.

He noted the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency will require an update of the authority's strategic plan in June or July 2007, and he added work should begin on the plan in April.

The next meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Fernwood Complex.

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