Commissioners hear ditch vacation proposal

TIFFIN — Members of the Seneca County Board of Commissioners tabled a request to vacate a platted alley in Fort Seneca, determining that further legal clarification and township input were needed before a decision could be made. The hearing regarded a 16 ½ foot alley adjacent to residential property owned by Anthony and J. Dian West as well as property owned by Fort Seneca Community Church (FSCC). West told commissioners she and her husband have had a vested interest in the property since 1991, and that the alley has not been used as a roadway during that time — even contacting Old Fort Fire Department Chief Craig Mellott. According to West, Mellott stated the department has never used the alley for emergency access and would have no concerns if it were vacated. "We collected a total of 24 signatures representing 19 residences in support of the alley's vacation," said West, citing Ohio's definition of abandonment (21 years of non-use). County Engineer Mark Zimmerman, who said he was not formally part of the hearing nor offering legal advice, provided some background on the alley vacation process at the commissioners' request. Zimmerman stated a key issue in this case is ownership, with the alley being township-owned land rather than a right-of-way easement. "The distinction affects how abandonment laws are applied, and to my understanding, commissioners cannot approve the vacation without a resolution from Pleasant Township trustees authorizing the transfer," he said. Members of the board ultimately decided they were not prepared to vote on the request without additional information, tabling the matter until a future date. The commissioners thanked the members of the public for their time, saying the hearing would not need to be repeated when it returns for consideration. In other news During the public comment portion of the meeting, Jay Pence– a member of the Old Fort Local School District's Board of Education and resident of Old Fort, raised concerns about heavy truck traffic and safety issues in and around Old Fort following a second collision between a semi-truck and a school bus. Pence, who stated he was speaking at the meeting as a resident, urged the county to address intersection safety before another incident occurs where students are involved. "There were no kids on the bus, but this is the second collision in. County Administrator Barb Patterson touched on financials, saying the county collected just over $1.8 million in revenue in January while expending approximately $3.2 million. She noted the imbalance as typical for it being early in the year because of county expenses encumbered last year and paid this year. New business Commissioners approved several supplemental appropriations, including: • $29,790 from the County Capital Projects Fund for duct sealing and cleaning work at the Seneca County Jail. • $47,070 from the County Capital Projects Fund for a change order at the county youth center to adjust ductwork and improve heat distribution. • $294,902 from the Community Based Correction Facility Fund for capital improvements at Oriana House, funded through state dollars. The board also approved a resolution authorizing a contract with Securitas Technology Corporation for system upgrades at the county youth center. The project will be funded primarily through a grant, with the county providing a required local match. Commissioners additionally approved a resolution reappointing Randy Wiser to the Sandusky-Seneca County-City of Tiffin Port Authority Board of Directors, with a term expiring March 1, 2030.