Airport plan hoping to take off

NORWALK — Huron County Commissioners on Tuesday morning reviewed the 10-year plan for the Huron County Airport. The Airport Capital Improvements Program includes a total cost of nearly $6 million through fiscal year 2032. Here are the projected improvements over the next 10 years: 2024 — $160,000 for airfield lighting rehabilition design; 2024 — $60,000 for design and bid for the Airport's Automated Weather Automation System to enhance the safety and efficiency of the airport; 2025 — $1.4 million to rehabilitate airfield lighting which has reached the end of its useful life, existing system prone to outages; 2026 — $200,000 to rehabilitate runway design to maintain its safety and efficiency; 2027 — $2 million for runway rehabilitation construction; 2028 — $85,000 for T-Hangar design and construction; 2029 — $125,000 for design work for rehabilitation of Taxiway C, Taxiway A, and Apron A; 2030 — $304,113 for construction of Taxiway C, Taxiway A, and Apron A; 2031 — $150,000 for designing wildlife perimeter fencing; 2032 — $1.2 million for wildlife perimeter fencing build. Meanwhlile, commissioners approved sending a letter to Norwalk City Council President Steve Euton and to Norwalk City Schools Superintendent Brad Cooley telling them they want the Norwalk Police Department to take over the School Resource Officer program. "As you are aware, the Huron County Sheriff's Department is currently providing the school resource officer for the Norwalk City School District. The Board of Huron County Commissioners feel this should be an obligation of the City of Norwalk through its police department. Therefore, the Board would like the City to assume this responsibility commencing with 2024-2025 school year." The letter will be signed by all three commissions: Terry Boose, Skip Wilde, and Harry Brady. Wilde said "This is absolutely the right thing to do." Euton said he will refer the matter to the mayor and safety service director. "The administration will work out the details if that's something the city wishes to do," Euton said. Cooley could not be reached. Finally, commissioners approved a number of other items. Among those: Commissioners approved entering into a contract with Henry W. Bergman Inc. for the Huron County Airport runway, taxiway, and apron crack sealing and pavement marking project at a cost of $132,531 to be paid for with a Federal Aviation Administration grant. Commissioners approved to authorize and receive bids for the Huron County Baseline Road bridge replacement. Awarded a bid to Fisher-Titus Medical Center for $272,000 to provide medical services at the Huron County Jail.