Commissioners hear trail planning update; pump repairs completed and lien removed on Tanski Building

Commissioners on Aug. 28 heard multiple county updates: planning progress on the Hocking Valley Scenic Trail, the resolution of a long-standing pump issue affecting sewer conveyance, removal of a lien on the Tanski Building and a change to the commission meeting schedule.

Commissioner remarks credited Bryce Frazier and a large volunteer committee, including County Engineer William R. Shaw, for leading a walk of the proposed scenic-trail corridor. The initial segment under study would connect Aqueduct Park to the middle school, seek a route that avoids steep grades, and aim ultimately to reach the high school and, in long-range plans, a continuous route toward Nelsonville.

County staff reported that one of two major pumps in Union Furnace that moves wastewater toward Logan failed in June. A replacement pump was received and installed but did not operate correctly; a standby pump is now in place and the system is "back fully operational," a commissioner said. Staff said the pump that had handled the county’s load for roughly two months did not fail during that period.

Commissioners also reported that, after prodding and involvement by the title agency, a lien on the Tanski Building was removed — the title agency paid the costs associated with removal and the county incurred no expense.

The board agreed to move the late October commissioners' meeting from Oct. 30 to Oct. 23 so several commissioners can attend the statewide Land Bank Association meeting in Marietta on Oct. 23; commissioners approved the date change by motion and voice vote.

Other calendar and community notices included Hocking County Overdose Awareness Day on Sept. 3, 2–4 p.m. at Caca Maca Park and a rescheduled Logan Zoning Board of Appeals hearing on Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. regarding a variance request for 30 West Main Street.

What this means: trail planning is active with local leadership and committee participation, critical wastewater pumping capacity has been restored, the county avoided a lien cost on the Tanski Building and the commissioners adjusted their meeting calendar to accommodate attendance at a regional event.