Washington County Commissioners to declare disaster in the county following three confirmed tornadoes
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MARIETTA – The Washington County Commissioners passed a motion to draft a proclamation declaring an emergency in the county following last week's storm damage.
During the regular commission meeting Thursday, Washington County Emergency Management Director Rich Hays said there were officially three confirmed tornadoes that touched down in the county July 21.
"We had a meteorologist come (up) from Charleston and we did confirm we had two EF2 tornadoes that touched down in the county and one EF1 tornado," said Hays.
Hays said after a county-wide evaluation, there were a few properties that were classified under major damages. He said the major damage consisted of roofs being taken off during the high winds.
"Cleanup from the townships is still ongoing," he said.
Washington County Engineer Roger Wright said the department has received any spreadsheets from the townships yet regarding damage and cleanup costs.
"It's not just for the tornado damage, we had heavy rains and if they (townships) had anything associated with heavy rains and washouts," said Hays. "That information has to be submitted by Aug. 4 to be eligible."
Wright said some townships are dealing mostly with cleanups rather than property damages. The cost of those cleanups can be eligible for state damage assistance.
Hays said although there is a lot of damage to trees, some roads, power lines, and property, the only damages that qualify for the state are occupied homes.
Hays said there were nine total tornadoes that touched down in Ohio, and he said as of now, no other county in the state has declared an emergency.
"We had three tornadoes out of the nine touchdowns here in Washington County, and we've seen a lot of the damage," said Washington County Commissioner Charlie Schilling. "I feel like we ought to be proactive."
Schilling said they would work with the county prosecutor to draft a proclamation and declare an emergency for the state.
Wright said the engineering department has done a really good job cleaning up the debris from the roadways.
"All of the roads are now open to two lanes," he said. Although there are still trees and debris being removed in some areas, he said crews continue to work diligently and carefully to ensure all roadways are safe and debris has been cleared.
Washington County Commissioner Eddie Place said he has been visiting concerned homeowners in Waterford to discuss concerns about the development of a potential data center.
Waterford resident Amber Peck, who was present at the commissioner's meeting, invited Place to her property to share her concerns and discuss potential options.
"Some of their concerns were either the data center (overall) or it being too close to where they live," said Place. "I told them that if the data center (developers) chooses to do an agreement with us, as commissioners, we could put perimeters in that agreement."
Place said because they don't have control over private land and private zoning, the data center can be developed with or without agreements from the commissioners. These statements have been made in prior meetings.
"If they choose to develop with us, we could add that it needs to be far back (from private property) and be respectful to people who live there," he said.
Peck asked how the discussion of the development began. Place said the data center developers had met Washington County Job and Family Services Director Flite Freimann who then got them in contact with the commissioners.
"I would really appreciate community members like Mrs. Peck or anyone that's going to be impacted by this to reach out to me and let me know what you feel a reasonable setback is," Schilling. "Let's keep it in the perspective of within reason of the project."
Schilling said they're willing to listen and have discussions with both the developers and community members.
Place said he hasn't had any contact with the developers since May so he has the same questions as the community in regards to the development. The commissioners said there have been no agreements made.
"We have questions that we have not had answered so we don't want false information out there, too because people really do deserve to know the truth," said Place.
Place said they are listening to the community's concerns and they are asking questions but there aren't always answers back.
"Us commissioners are careful in what we say only because we've been let down so many times already, too," he said. "When it comes to those perimeters or setbacks the people want, there has to be communication for that."
The agenda items consisted of regular budget transfers and stabilizations. The commissioners approved all items and tabled a budget transfer of $5,000 from the sanitary sewer fund for contract services.
Schilling said the additional appropriation was for operating maintenance for a project in Macksburg.
Wright said the appropriation would cover the cost of expenses after the operator in Macksburg was fired.
"So we're taking over operations on a contractual basis and then they'll be reimbursing us for any expenses, so we're just basically trying to keep them going until we reach an agreement," said Wright. "They need an operator and we told them we could help them out for the same amount then renegotiate at the end of this year."
Schilling said they wanted to table the appropriation until a formal, written agreement had been established. He said they would speak with the prosecutor's office before moving money around.
Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com