County projects may be delayed

NORWALK — Two roof replacement projects the county has contracted for may have to be delayed. The Huron County Jail and the Huron County Department of Job and Family Services building are both scheduled for roof replacements, with a deadline of Oct. 1, 2021. Pete Welch, building and grounds supervisor, said the contractors have run into issues when trying to obtain materials needed for the projects. He said the deadline for the projects may have to be extended to next spring. The contractor of the jail project ordered the materials necessary before the contract was signed but still has not received a delivery date. Welch said if the materials arrived now, the contractor said the job could be done in three to five weeks. For the other roof project, the contractor said they may not be able to get materials until next spring. The contractor said they could perform the project in the winter months, but the commissioners said they did not want any construction happening on the roofs from November to March. The department of job and family services also will be getting new carpeting throughout the building. There is also a delay on this project due to a supply chain issue. On Thursday, the Ohio Power Siting Board approved the Emerson Creek wind farm project in Huron and Erie counties. As Juneteenth is now a national holiday, the commissioners added the day to the 2021 holiday schedule. The president announced the holiday was recognized on June 17, with June 18 meant to be observed for the national holiday. Due to county offices already having appointments and services scheduled for June 18, county employees worked on the day. The commissioners announced Sept. 3 would be taken off in observance of Juneteenth this year, and this year only. "We appreciate our employees continued to serve the public like we planned, we thought it was the right thing to do," commissioner Terry Boose said. "This is what we're doing for this year. We decided to give the day before Labor Day weekend off." The commissioners also approved the building and grounds department to complete backflow repairs at the Huron County Fairgrounds for $4,993 that is expected to be completed before the county fair. The county will also be assisting the village of New London with water system repairs and facility improvements. Commissioner Skip Wilde said the Norwalk Economic Development Corp. has found a new director, but the choice hasn't been made public yet. The commissioners will also be creating a proclamation in honor of Bellevue being named a Purple Heart City. The commissioners also discussed the selling of the old county jail. Currently, there are two parties interested in the building. One is from New York and the other is more locally based. There will be a deed restriction for whoever the building is sold to. The buyers will have to begin renovations shortly after purchasing the property. "It can't just sit there and be empty," Boose said.