Commissioners recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month, discuss landfill oversight and EMS

Tiffin, Ohio — Seneca County resident Amy Laird spoke to the Seneca County Commissioners on Thursday about the importance of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

In recognition of her advocacy work, the commissioners presented Laird and her son Alec Van-Beveren with a proclamation to raise awareness and prevent child abuse. Van-Beveren is a Shaken Baby Syndrome survivor with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, and Laird shared his story with the commissioners and discussed how Court-Appointed Special Advocates helped her and Alec over 20 years ago. She also recently joined CASA as a volunteer to help other abused children.

The commissioners showed their support by lighting the courthouse cupola in blue for Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Also during the meeting, the commissioners discussed a letter they sent to the Seneca County General Health District Board of Health asking for a wish list of items and services that would improve their capability to inspect and regulate Sunny Farms Landfill.

The commissioners are working with the Ottawa-Seneca-Sandusky Joint Solid Waste Management District to implement a solid waste management plan update, with the hope of increasing funds for oversight at the landfill. The plan is due to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency in June, and the commissioners are committed to working with the other commissioners from Ottawa and Sandusky County to ask for additional funding.

In other business, Commissioner Anthony Paradiso provided updates on Seneca County’s priorities, including improving ambulance services in rural areas. The Joint Ambulance District is working on taking over for North Central EMS and covering the northern portion of the county. Additionally, the district and county are planning to build four EMS stations for efficient and quick service, with plans underway for the first building in the southeast portion of the county. The commissioners approved $5,000 for a feasibility study for a second station to be built in Seneca Township.

County Administrator Jaime Wolfe asked the commissioners to approve an education policy for EMS officials, allowing them to work on moving to the next training level. This training would be paid for by the county in exchange for a three-year commitment to work for Seneca County EMS.

After an executive session, the commissioners reluctantly accepted Wolfe’s resignation from her position as county administrator. The commissioners thanked Wolfe for her service to the county, and she cited her desire to spend more time with her family as her reason for resigning.

During new business, the commissioners approved:

• A $1,600 supplemental appropriation to the General Fund for a grant to the Attica Independent Fair.
• A $10,000 supplemental appropriation to the General Fund for equipment at the jail.
• A $1,500 supplemental appropriation to the General Fund for advertising.
• An $11,370 supplemental appropriation to the JRIG Grant Fund for contract services.
• A $1,596 supplemental appropriation to the General Special Projects Fund for contract services.
• A $40,964.20 supplemental appropriation to the Commissary Fund for software licenses/services.
• A $3,875 supplemental appropriation to the Commissary Fund for supplies.
• A $53,693 supplemental appropriation to the Commissary Fund for equipment.
• A $3,000 supplemental appropriation to the Concealed Carry Fund for supplies.
• A $5,000 supplemental appropriation to the Capital Projects Fund for the southwest EMS station project.
• A $1,800 supplemental appropriation to the Capital Projects Fund for the county airport.
• A resolution accepting Erie Blacktop’s bid for the CR 62 Pavement Repair Project. The bid was for $88,053.50.
• Signing an application for the Ohio Department of Transportation Office of Aviation Grant.
• Appointing Jami Hill as a County Prevention Specialist to the Northwest Ohio Regional Prevention Council.