Note: We’re closed next week for the holidays, so this edition of the Indy Bulletin Board covers three weeks of public meetings. Please note that bodies may announce/call public meetings with 24 hours’ notice.
This is the last Indy Bulletin Board of 2023. Our next issue will hit your inbox on Monday, Jan. 8. Thanks for our first whole year at the Independent 💗 Happy holidays and well wishes from Indy staff. We’ll see you in 2024! 🎆
Local news roundup
Note: The Athens County Independent shares news from other outlets and organizations that we understand to be reliable. However, the organizations cited are responsible for the accuracy of their own reporting and announcements.
The third and final defendant in an Athens County mail fraud case has been sentenced to 10–14 years in prison. (News and Sentinel)
The city of Athens is considering forming a council of governments to bring back trash services to local control, after it awarded a 3-year solid waste hauling contract to Rumpke. (WOUB)
Three Black women were threatened with firearms and racially harassed near Uptown on the Ohio University campus earlier this month. The OU Police Department is seeking tips. (The Post)
Appalachia is viewed by some as a future climate refuge, amidst climate change and a growing economy built upon asset-based development, such as the True Pigments project. (Vox)
- Indy context: True Pigments — a multimillion-dollar project that converts Sunday Creek pollutants into paint — broke ground for facility construction this past summer.
Save Ohio Parks, the Ohio Environmental Council, the Buckeye Environmental Network and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers filed an appeal earlier this month to challenge recent decisions by the Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission to allow drilling under Salt Fork State Park, Zepernick Wildlife Area and Valley Run Wildlife Area. Bidding to drill under the state properties is to begin in January 2024. (Ohio Capital Journal)
The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance has awarded Pomeroy, Ohio-based Snowville Creamery a grant “to expand our product line and create more jobs” in Southeast Ohio. (WTAQ)
Within 10 days after it reaches his desk, Gov. Mike DeWine will either approve or veto a bill to deny transgender girls from participating in school sports, and restrict doctors and nurses from providing healthcare to transgender youths. DeWine has opposed parts of the legislation; lawmakers continue to disregard data and opinions from healthcare professionals. DeWine said Friday he is “taking a hard, hard look” at the bill. (The Buckeye Flame, Ohio Capital Journal)
Marijuana possession is legal in Ohio — but that doesn’t mean you can spark up at bars. Liquor permit-holding businesses may lose their license for openly allowing patrons to consume marijuana on their premises. (Dayton Daily News)
Federally greenlit Amtrak expansion in Ohio will bring more travel and job opportunities across the Midwest — but it will take a while. (Statehouse News Bureau)
Bobcat populations are finally recovering from trapping, hunting, timbering and other industry that extirpated them from the state in the 1800s. (NBC4i)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has begun a review of vinyl chloride, the toxic chemical released earlier this year by the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. (Associated Press)
Events
- Music and Merriment with The Brickersons: 4:30–5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18, Nelsonville Public Library, 95 W. Washington St., Nelsonville
- Community Food Pantry Distribution: 5–6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, Heritage Community Clinic, 16 W. Green Dr., Athens
- Stuart’s Opera House Presents: Paint and Pour Series: 7–9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, Stuart’s Opera House, 52 Public Square, Nelsonville
- Eclipse Company Store Trivia Night: 7–9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19 and 26, Eclipse Company Store, 11309 Jackson Drive, The Plains
- Donkey Coffee Designated Space: 9–11 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19 and 26, Donkey Coffee, 17 W. Washington St., Athens
- UCM Center Community Lunch: 12–1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20 and 27, United Campus Ministry, 18 N. College St., Athens
- Hocking College Bingo: 4–9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20 and 27, 185 W. Canal St. (formerly the site of LS), Nelsonville
- Albany VFW 9893 Bingo: 5–10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, 3025 Dickson Road, Albany
- The Met: Live In HD: Daniel Catán’s Florencia en el Amazonas: 12:55–3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, The Ridges Auditorium, 135 Ridges Circle, Athens
For holiday events, see our roundup of activities around Athens County.
Have an event to promote? Add it to our online Calendar!
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.
- Forest Service input: The U.S. Forest Service Eastern Region seeks volunteer committee members to advise the agency on changes to recreation fees in the region, which includes Ohio. Apply by March 1.
- Floodplain structure assessments: Buckeye Hills Regional Council invites local leaders and building owners to submit buildings located in the Hocking, Muskingum and Ohio River watersheds for free architectural and structural assessments. Properties should be submitted by January 8, 2024, through the online form at buckeyehills.org/planning.
- Loose leaf pickup this week: Final sweep.
- Bids accepted: The city is accepting sealed bids for City Project #330, SR 56 Lift Station Sewer Improvements. The engineer’s estimate for the project is $1.35 million. Bids will be opened and read at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.
- Meeting canceled: The Nelsonville Dog Park Board meeting scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 21, has been canceled. Its next meeting will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, at Nelsonville City Hall, 211 Lake Hope Drive.
- Road closure: Pleasantview Avenue will be closed until at least Wednesday, Dec. 20, from Woodlane Drive to Diamond Street for replacement of the main sanitary sewer line under Pleasantview Avenue. Please avoid this area and use an alternate route.
- Open council seat: Albany village council will have an open seat for a four-year term that begins in January 2024. Send letters of interest to Mayor Tim Kirkendall at Albany Village Hall, P.O. Box 153, 5135 Alton St., Albany, no later than noon Dec. 29.
Public meetings
Note: Schedule is based on meeting notices published by public bodies and on regular meeting schedules of community organizations. This schedule may change after the Bulletin Board is posted — check our website for the most up-to-date information.
All meetings are in-person only unless otherwise noted.
Monday, Dec. 18
5 p.m.: Rome Township Board of Trustees, Rome Township Building, 8708 SR 144, Stewart.
6 p.m.: York Township Board of Trustees, York Township Fire Department, 15255 Elm Rock Rd., Nelsonville.
7 p.m.: Athens City Council, third floor of the Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., Athens. In person and livestream. Agenda.
Tuesday, Dec. 19
9 a.m.: Athens County Budget Commission, Athens County Courthouse, 15 S. Court St., 1st floor annex, auditor’s conference room, Athens.
9:30 a.m.: Athens County Board of County Commissioners, Athens County Courthouse, 15 S. Court St., 2nd floor annex, commissioners’ conference room, Athens, and over Zoom. Agenda
2 p.m.: Athens County Board of Revision, Athens County Courthouse, 15 S. Court St., 1st floor annex, auditor’s conference room, Athens.
3 p.m.: Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, Prisley-Wells Commissioner Building, 10 Hope Drive, Athens.
4 p.m.: Athens County Children Services Board, 14 Stonybrook Drive, Athens.
5 p.m.: Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia, Baileys Trail System mountain bike rental office, 23 Main St., Chauncey.
5:15 p.m.: United Campus Ministry Board of Directors, United Campus Ministry, 18 N. College St., basement, Athens.
5:30 p.m.: Nelsonville Police and Fire Committee, to discuss the development of a city vehicle use policy for employees, police and fire department equipment and vehicle needs, and to seek public comment on police and fire issues, Nelsonville City Hall, 211 Lake Hope Drive, Nelsonville. Livestream.
6 p.m.: Athens Township Zoning Commission, The Plains Public Library, 14 S. Plains Rd., The Plains. Agenda.
6 p.m.: Federal Hocking Board of Education, Federal Hocking High School Library, 8461 SR 144, Stewart.
6 p.m.: Tri-County Career Center Board of Education, Tri-County Career Center, 15676 SR 691, room 108, Nelsonville.
6:30 p.m.: League of Women Voters of Athens County Board, Zoom by request.
7 p.m.: Sunday Creek Valley Water District Board, Sunday Creek Valley Water District, 15945 Second St., Millfield.
Wednesday, Dec. 20
11 a.m.: Athens County Community Singers Advisory Board, The Plains Public Library, 14 S. Plains Rd., The Plains.
4:30 p.m.: Athens County Public Libraries Board of Trustees, Nelsonville Public Library, 95 W. Washington St., Nelsonville.
6 p.m.: Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center Governing Board, Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center, 21 Birge Drive, Chauncey.
6 p.m.: Parade of the Hills Committee, Nelsonville Homes Community Room, 900 E. Canal St., Nelsonville.
6 p.m.: Albany Board of Zoning Appeals, Albany Village Hall, 5153 Alton St., Albany.
6:30 p.m.: Albany Village Council, Albany Village Hall, 5153 Alton St., Albany.
7 p.m.: Albany Independent Agricultural Society Board, Albany Fairgrounds, 5120 Washington Rd., Albany.
Thursday, Dec. 21
9 a.m.: Athens County Budget Commission, Athens County Courthouse, 15 S. Court St., 1st floor annex, auditor’s conference room, Athens.
5:30 p.m.: Athens Recreation Advisory Board, Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St., Athens. Agenda.
6 p.m.: Dover Township Board of Trustees, Dover Township Garage, 15947 Main St., Millfield.
6:30 p.m.: Athens City School District Board of Education, Athens City School District Office, 21 Birge Drive, Chauncey.
Friday, Dec. 22
No public meetings.
Monday, Dec. 25
Christmas Day; No public meetings.
Tuesday, Dec. 26
9 a.m.: Athens County Budget Commission, Athens County Courthouse, 15 S. Court St., 1st floor annex, auditor’s conference room, Athens.
9:30 a.m.: Athens County Board of County Commissioners, Athens County Courthouse, 15 S. Court St., 2nd floor annex, commissioners’ conference room, Athens, and over Zoom.
Wednesday, Dec. 27
6:30 p.m.: Federal Valley Resource Center Board, Federal Valley Resource Center, 8225 SR 329, Stewart.
Thursday, Dec. 28
5:30 p.m.: Athens Township Board of Trustees, 313 W. Union St., Athens.
7 p.m.: Trimble Township Board of Trustees, Trimble Township Building, 14 Town St., Glouster.
Friday, Dec. 29
No public meetings.
Monday, Jan. 1, 2024
New Year’s Day; No public meetings.
Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024
9 a.m.: Athens County Budget Commission, Athens County Courthouse, 15 S. Court St., 1st floor annex, auditor’s conference room, Athens.
9:30 a.m.: Athens County Board of County Commissioners, Athens County Courthouse, 15 S. Court St., 2nd floor annex, commissioners’ conference room, Athens, and over Zoom.
5 p.m.: Rome Township Board of Trustees, Rome Township Building, 8708 SR 144, Stewart.
7 p.m.: Ames Township Board of Trustees, Ames Township Garage, 15900 Henry Rd., Amesville.
Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024
6:30 p.m.: Jacksonville Village Council special meeting for the purpose of annual organizational voting, Jacksonville Fire Station, 34 6th St., Jacksonville.
6 p.m.: Waterloo Township Board of Trustees, Waterloo Fire Department, 8224 Hawk Rd., New Marshfield.
6 p.m.: Albany Village Council Finance Committee, Albany Village Hall, 5153 Alton St., Albany.
6:30 p.m.: Albany Village Council, Albany Village Hall, 5153 Alton St., Albany.
Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024
9 a.m.: Athens County Budget Commission, Athens County Courthouse, 15 S. Court St., 1st floor annex, auditor’s conference room, Athens.
12 p.m.: Athens Planning Commission, Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., 3rd floor, Athens, and over livestream. Agenda.
6 p.m.: Buchtel Village Council, Buchtel Village Hall, 17710 N. Akron Ave., Buchtel.
6 p.m.: Dover Township Board of Trustees, Dover Township Garage, 15947 Main St., Millfield.
Friday, Jan. 5, 2024
No public meetings.
