The Indy Bulletin Board: Athens County Events, Announcements, Public Meetings, & Local News Roundup 7/10-7/16

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Local news roundup

Note: The Athens County Independent is not responsible for errors in other outlets’ coverage. 

On July 4, the Athens County Democratic Party headquarters on State Street was vandalized. (Athens County Democratic Party)

In the aftermath of two recent accidents at US 50 and Radford Road, the Ohio Department of Transportation continues to monitor the intersection’s safety. (Athens Messenger)

Athens County Children Services’ PB&J program, which gives out free peanut butter and jelly sandwiches over the summer, is seeing greater demand this year. This points to a rise in food insecurity. (WOUB)

Former Arts West employee, Emily Beveridge, claims the cultural center doesn’t receive enough funding to support year-round programming nor paid staff. Andrew Chiki, Athens deputy service safety director and the mayor’s office’s representative on the Athens Municipal Arts Commission, disputed Beveridge’s claims. (WOUB)

• Disclosure: Emily Beveridge serves as a board member for Southeast Ohio Independent News, which publishes the Athens County Independent. Board members are not involved in the production of this newsletter or editorial decision-making.

Molly Sowash and her fiance CJ Morgan co-own and operate MoSo Farm as first generation farmers. Sowash and Morgan strive to fight climate change through proper cattle rotation. (WOUB)

Nick Magruder was sworn in as the new Athens police chief Thursday. Magruder replaces former police chief Tom Pyle. (Athens Messenger)

The Tablertown People of Color Museum will participate in this year’s Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design. The program supports local leaders in design projects that benefit their communities, including previous support to the Mount Zion Black Cultural Center. (The Athens Messenger)

• Indy context: An interview with David Butcher about Black Appalachian storytelling. 

Ohio’s 2023-24 budget, recently signed by Gov. Mike Dewine, includes $3.1 billion in income tax cuts for Ohioans. However, according to research from progressive group Policy Matters Ohio, many middle- and working-class people will pay more. (Statehouse News Bureau)

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Events

• Ohio Brew Week. July 7-15. Events include keg tappings, community days, dinners, an art hop, a “brew BQ,” and much more throughout Athens.
• Ohio’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Public Meeting. Tuesday, July 13, at the Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St., Athens. 
• Exhibit: “Quilt National 2023.” Open through Sept. 11 at the Dairy Barn Arts Center, 8000 Dairy Lane, Athens.

Have an event to promote? Add it to our online Calendar!

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Announcements

Note: All information is current as of the Bulletin Board’s production on Monday morning. Click the links to find the most up-to-date information. 

Fill out the Athens County Active Transportation Survey.

City of Athens

• Public Comment
  • The city seeks public comment on the Athens Uptown Improvements Project, which will decrease navigation challenges for cyclists and pedestrians and provide a lower level of traffic stress for cyclists. Submit comments by email (jadine@ci.athens.oh.us), phone (740-593-7636) or mail (30 Curran Drive, Athens OH 45701). Deadline: July 25.
• Construction
  • Dairy Lane sewer and water line project: Local traffic only on Dairy Lane between Richland Avenue and the Summit at Coates Run driveway; detours marked for through traffic. Expected completion: Sewer portion, fall 2023; entire project, 2024. 
  • College Green tunnel rehabilitation: East Union Street is closed between North College Street and East Green Drive. Detour is marked. Expected completion: Mid-August.
• Requests for Bids/Proposals
  • Public artwork: The Athens Municipal Arts Commission is accepting proposals for up to seven pieces of art for a new public outdoor sculpture walk near the new Athens Fire Department building on Stimson Avenue. Allocation: $7,500 per artist. Deadline: 5 p.m. Aug. 1. More information.

Athens County Engineer

• Culvert replacement: Hooper Ridge Road
• Patching: CR 36, CR 60, CR 62, CR 63, CR 36 
• Mowing: CR 42
• Grading: CR 94

ODOT projects in Athens County: 

• NEW
  • Beginning July 11, all U.S. 50 westbound traffic will take the new Stimson Avenue exit (Exit 173A) into the roundabout. Traffic will be directed through the roundabout onto Stimson Avenue. Follow Stimson Avenue to the Rock Riffle Road intersection. Make a left onto Rock Riffle Road, and follow it to the U.S. 33 eastbound/U.S. 50 westbound entrance ramp.
• CONTINUING
  • The SR 7 north ramp to US 50 West is closed until July 15. Detour: SR 144 to SR 329 to US 50.
  • Resurfacing on SR 13 from SR 550 to the Perry County line and on SR 329 from SR 13 to Shell Hill. Traffic is being maintained by flaggers. Estimated completion: July 15.
  • All of SR 143 is being resurfaced. Expected completion: Aug. 1.
  • SR 681 from US 50 to the Meigs County line is being resurfaced. Expected completion: Aug. 1. 
  • SR 78 is being resurfaced between Trimble Twp. Rd. 675 and the Morgan County line. Traffic maintained by flaggers. Expected completion: Aug. 15.
  • Resurfacing on US 33 between Elm Rock Rd. (York Twp Rd 36) and SR 550. Traffic will be maintained by flaggers. Expected completion: Sept. 1.
  • Landslide repair on SR 329 between US 50 and New England Road (CR 48). One lane is closed. Temporary traffic signals in place. Estimated completion: Oct. 1.
  • Lane closures on US 50 between Harmony Road (CR 24) and Della Drive (CR 52) for sign upgrades. Expected completion: Oct. 1.
  • Lane closures and changes to traffic patterns at the US 33/US 50 interchange. Expected completion: November 2023. 
  • Lane closure on US 50 between Della Drive and River Road and between Vanderhoof Road and SR 144 for resurfacing. Expected completion: Nov. 1.

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Public meetings

Meeting schedule is based on meeting notices published by public bodies and on regular meeting schedules of community organizations. Meeting information may change after this is posted. Check our website for the most up-to-date information.

Monday, 7/10:

3:30 p.m.: Athens County Board of Elections has a regular monthly meeting at the Athens County Board of Elections, 15 S. Court St., #130, Athens. In-person only. Agenda

4:30 p.m.: Le-Ax Water District Board of Directors has a regular monthly meeting at the Le-Ax Water Office, 6000 Industrial Dr., Athens. In-person only. Agenda

6 p.m.: Nelsonville City Council’s Judiciary, Police and Fire, and Finance committees will hold back-to-back meetings at the Nelsonville City Hall, 211 Lake Hope Drive, Nelsonville, and over livestream.

6:30 p.m.: Lodi Township Board of Trustees has a regular monthly meeting at the Lodi Township Building, 15525 Fossil Rock Rd., Athens. In-person only.

7 p.m.: Little Hocking Water Association Board has a regular monthly meeting at the Little Hocking Water Association, 3998 Newbury Rd., Little Hocking. In-person only.

7 p.m.: Nelsonville City Council has a regular biweekly meeting at the Nelsonville City Hall, 211 Lake Hope Drive, Nelsonville, and over livestream. Agenda

7 p.m.: Trimble Village Council has a regular monthly meeting at the Trimble Village Hall, 19549 Congress St., Trimble. In-person only.

7:30 p.m.: Tuppers Plains Chester Water District Board of Directors has a regular monthly meeting at the Tuppers Plains Chester Water District, 39561 Bar 30 Rd., Reedsville. In-person only.

Tuesday, 7/11:

9 a.m.: Athens County Budget Commission has a regular weekly meeting at the Athens County Courthouse, 15 S. Court St., 1st floor annex, auditor’s conference room, Athens. In-person only.

9:30 a.m.: Athens County Board of County Commissioners has a regular weekly meeting at the Athens County Courthouse, 15 S. Court St., 2nd floor annex, commissioners’ conference room, Athens, and over Zoom. Agenda

5:30 p.m.: Athens City Commission on Disabilities’ Outreach and Communications Committee has a regular monthly meeting at the Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., 1st floor conference room, Athens. Agenda

5:30 p.m.: Athens Township Board of Trustees has a regular biweekly meeting at the Athens Township Hall, 313 W. Union St., Athens. In-person only.

7 p.m.: Burr Oak Regional Water District Board of Directors has a regular monthly meeting at the Tom Jenkins Dam Water Office, 23560 Tom Jenkins Dam Rd., Glouster. In-person only.

7 p.m.: Athens Board of Zoning Appeals has a meeting at the Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., Athens, and over livestream. Agenda

7 p.m.: Coolville Village Council has a regular monthly meeting at the Coolville Village Hall, 26319 Main St., Coolville. In-person only.

7 p.m.: Lee Township Board of Trustees has a regular monthly meeting at the Lee Township Office, 2013 Mill St., Albany. In-person only.

Wednesday, 7/12:

10 a.m.: Hocking Valley Community Residential Center Board has a regular monthly meeting at the Hocking Valley Community Residential Center, 111 W. 29 Drive, Nelsonville. In-person only.

10:30 a.m.: Hocking Conservancy District Board of Directors has a regular monthly meeting at the Hocking Conservancy District, 560 W. Union St., Athens. In-person only.

2 p.m.: Athens County Local Emergency Planning Committee has a regular quarterly meeting at the Athens County Emergency Medical Services Training Room, 21 Kenny Drive, Athens. In-person only. Agenda

2:30 p.m.: Athens County Family & Children First Council has a regular bimonthly meeting at OhioMeansJobs – Athens County, 510 W. Union St., Athens. In-person only. Agenda

5:30 p.m.: Alexander Township Board of Trustees has a regular monthly meeting at the Alexander Township Office, 8711 Harner Rd., Athens. In-person only.

5:30 p.m.: Chauncey Village Council has a regular monthly meeting at the Chauncey Village Hall, 42 Converse St., Chauncey. In-person only.

6 p.m.: Amesville Village Council has a regular monthly meeting at the Amesville City Building, 21 Maple, Amesville. In-person only.

6 p.m.: Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center Governing Board has a regular biweekly meeting at the Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center, 21 Birge Drive, Chauncey. In-person only. Agenda

6 p.m.: Trimble Township Wastewater Treatment District Board of Directors has a regular monthly meeting at the Trimble Township Wastewater Treatment District, 18551 Jacksonville Rd., Glouster. In-person only.

7 p.m.: Alexander Local Board of Education has a regular monthly meeting at the Alexander High School Library, 6125 School Rd., Albany, and over livestream.

Thursday, 7/13:

8 a.m.: Athens County Regional Planning Committee has a regular monthly meeting at Athens County Emergency Management Services, 21 Kenny Drive, Athens. Agenda

12 p.m.: Athens County Creating Healthy Communities Coalition has a regular monthly meeting over Zoom.

6 p.m.: Bern Township Board of Trustees has a regular monthly meeting at the Bern Township Office, 16877 Joy Rd., Sharpsburg. In-person only.

6 p.m.: Hockhocking Adena Bikeway Advisory Committee has a regular monthly meeting at the Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St., Athens, and over Zoom.

7 p.m.: Athens Shade Tree Commission has a regular monthly meeting at the Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., 3rd floor, Athens, and over livestream.

Friday, 7/14:

No public meetings

Monday, 7/17:

3 p.m.: Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority Board of Commissioners has a regular monthly meeting at the Prisley-Wells Commissioner Building, 10 Hope Drive, Athens. In-person only.

5 p.m.: Athens County Veteran Service Commission has a regular biweekly meeting at OhioMeansJobs – Athens County, 510 W. Union St., Athens. In-person only.

5 p.m.: Rome Township Board of Trustees has a regular monthly meeting at the Rome Township Building, 8708 SR 144, Stewart. In-person only.

5:30 p.m.: Athens City Historic Preservation Commission has a regular monthly meeting at the Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., Athens. In-person only.

6 p.m.: York Township Board of Trustees has a regular monthly meeting at the York Township Fire Department, 15255 Elm Rock Rd., Nelsonville. In-person only.