Defiance County commissioners opened four bids Monday for demolishing two downtown Sherwood buildings and began weighing a wider approach to wastewater problems around the county airport.
Maumee Valley Planning Organization officials took the bids for structures at 114 and 116-120 Harrison St. (U.S. 127). Sherwood Mutual Telephone Association wants the site cleared so it can put up a new office; the association's current office is on West Vine Street, just west of Harrison Street.
Articulate Air LLC of Berkey was the apparent low bidder at $112,454, against an engineer's estimate of $115,000. Advanced Excavating and Demolition of McComb came in at $119,450, Dore & Associates Inc. of Bay City, Mich., at $143,300, and Siegel Excavating of West Unity at $270,000. MVPO will review the bids and recommend an award. State community development block grant money is involved.
Commissioners also heard from Tim Meyer, a member of the Defiance County Airport Authority Board, and Jeff Timbrook of the county engineer's office, about wastewater and stormwater near the airport on Ohio 15. Meyer said shifting Ohio EPA rules have the board working with consulting engineer Ken Maag on what upgrades are needed, at an unknown cost. Timbrook said the neighboring highway department has relied on grinder pumps for more than two decades and he would prefer gravity service.
A larger system could take in about a dozen homes across from the airport that use septic tanks, a manufactured home park on Ohio 15 and possibly the Evergreen Lane Office Complex. Sewage has been found in a nearby waterway, and the complex's treatment plant needs upgrading.
Separately, commissioners received a Job and Family Services update, approved a courthouse elevator change order with Midwest Contracting of Holland adding $14,795.20, agreed to sell a county building at 414 Second St. occupied by KeyBank to Union Bank for $445,000, and authorized clerk Carla Lucas to approve purchases and vouchers up to $750.