Commissioners, SWCD look to check agricultural soil in EP space | Information, Sports activities, Jobs

LISBON — The Columbiana Soil and Water Conservation District and commissioners are working on trying to get testing on agriculture lands in the local area in the wake of the East Palestine train derailment.

Pete Conkle, district program coordinator for the Columbiana Soil and Water Conservation District, attended the commissioners’ meeting Wednesday morning and briefly touched on the topic.

He specifically said they’re looking at “soil and plant tissue tests for farmers in the area.”

“There is a sense of urgency. We need to get this done,” Commissioner Tim Weigle said.

During last week’s meeting, Weigle said the commissioners had been receiving some calls from farmers with questions due to the release of chemicals from the train disaster.

“We want to be as responsive as we can,” Commissioner Mike Halleck said.

Conkle said they don’t want the farmers to have any less income this spring.

In other recent business, commissioners awarded the contract for the Homeworth Road bridge replacement project to Shelly & Sands for $1,646,828. The only other bid was received from Shook Company for $1,717,171. The commissioners also approved the advertising for bids for the Whinnery Road bridge replacement in Butler Township.

The commissioners also: approved Lynsie Beagle and Hery Richard Salamanca Ramirez to fill unexpired terms on the Columbiana County Mental Health Board; approved the advancement of $20,000 from the general fund for the purchase of a vehicle from a grant from Recovery Ohio for the Columbiana County Drug Task Force; gave permission to hunt deer antlers (sheds) on County Home Road property to Doug, Stephanie, Blayke, Trenton and Larry Martin; approved an agreement with Ohio State University for the Healthy Living Wellness Program for 2023; and approved the hiring of five Children Services employees, including Melody Cobb of Minerva, Billie Jo Dickson and Bradley Elliott, both of Wellsville, Amber Lacy of Hanoverton and Terry Madison of Salem.

Commissioners also heard a presentation from Audrey Dimmerling from the OSU Extension regarding 4-H and the extension of the enrollment deadline to April 1. She also asked for a proclamation for 4-H week March 5 through 11.

The next commissioners’ meeting will be 9 a.m. March 8.

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