(File Photo) Pictured is the Muskingum River Industrial Park in the village of Beverly, which is a focus of the brownfield site assessments that will be performed in Washington County.

The Washington County Commission approved the proposal from Partners Environmental Consulting Inc. to conduct property assessment during Thursday’s meeting.

Partners will conduct an assessment with the $1.5 million grant through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfield Program. The program provides these grants for communities to assess and safely restore contaminated areas.

The proposal was for a Phase 1 Property Assessment for the site located at 308 Putnam St.

“It’s owned by the city of Marietta that they’re helping to redevelop,” said Special Projects Manager Phillip Schaffer.

Partners’ proposal stated they will do a site walkover and gain as much knowledge as they can about the history of the site. They will also determine whether or not there had been hazardous substances or petroleum on the property. Labor, subcontractor and equipment expenses totaled around $4,200 which was covered by the grant.

“I know Phillip’s been working on this,” said Commissioner Charlie Schilling.

After tabling the contract last week, the commissioners decided Thursday to approve the contract for housing prisoners in the Monroe County Jail.

Commissioner Greg Nohe said he felt Washington County Sheriff Mark Warden did the best he could in negotiating a deal with Monroe County.

The cost for housing inmates at the Monroe County Jail would be $65 a day as long as there are 15 individuals. If there are under 15 incarcerated individuals, it would be $75 for each person housed at Monroe.

“I appreciate the conversation,” said Warden.

Nohe said they met to discuss the need for housing incarcerated individuals at another jail because theirs was full.

Warden also wanted people to be cautious this weekend due to the snow storm that is expected from Saturday into Sunday.

“I’ll be working hard with ODOT (Ohio Department of Transportation) and our township trustees on making sure there’s (snow) levels,” said Warden. “If level three is pulled, it’s for the safety of the citizens … just be very vigilant when you’re out there.”

Washington County Veterans Service Commissioner Brad Webb commended the commissioners for “keeping the property taxes on the map.”

Webb said property tax reform is definitely going to be on the ballot. He said if that were to pass, there would be losses in school funding, fire departments, and others.

“One thing that everybody’s missing is there’s 88 counties in the state of Ohio that all have a veteran service commission. We are funded from that property tax,” said Webb. “If that property tax passes, no more property tax, you lose all 88 and there’s over 70,000 veterans in the state of Ohio.”

WCVSC Executive Director Darren Shearlock said the commission is hosting a resource fair for veterans to advocate for themselves on March 27 at the Armory from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“We’re still seeking vendors that provide services that would like to partner with us,” said Shearlock.

Interested organizations can contact the WCVSC at 740-568-9009.