Note: All information is current as of The Scoop’s production on Tuesday morning. Click the links for the most up-to-date information.
General announcements
- County financial reports available: Athens County Auditor Jill Davidson has released the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and the Popular Annual Financial Report for FY2023.
- New system for concealed carry applications: The Athens County Sheriff’s Office has implemented a new online system for concealed carry applications. The system allows applicants to upload required documents and photos, make online payments, and schedule appointments for BCI or FBI Webcheck.
- Thunder in the Valley parking: The annual Thunder in the Valley fireworks show is Thursday, July 4, at Hocking College. VIP parking passes must be purchased at the Nelsonville Fire Department, 211 Lake Hope Drive, Nelsonville. Single entry to the college parking lots at John Light Hall only. No parking on Hocking Parkway or SR 691.
- Fireworks safety: The state fire marshal’s office urges safe, responsible and legal use of fireworks. Use of consumer fireworks is restricted to 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. from Wednesday, July 3, through Sunday, July 7.
- Photo contest: The Athens Soil and Water Conservation District invites entries in its All Athens County Photo Contest. Deadline to enter is midnight Monday, July 8.
- Hydrant flushing in Athens: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. July 2: Circle Drive, Lamar Drive, Coventry Lane and Canterbury Drive. Residents may experience discolored water due to iron sediments stirred up from increased flow, but the water remains safe. No boil order will be issued for hydrant flushing, but the city recommends you do not wash laundry during this time.
Public hearings and comment
- SAOP affordable housing project: 5:30 p.m. today, Tuesday, July 2, Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program office, 145 Columbus Road, Athens, or livestream. Comment by on the proposal by email or postal mail by July 8.
- Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District hearing on proposed parcel fee: 6 p.m. today, Tuesday, July 2, Nelsonville Public Library, 95 W. Washington St., Nelsonville.
ODOT Coolville RCUT proposal, 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, Coolville Elementary School, 26461 Main St., Coolville. Submit comments on the proposal by Aug. 16.
Traffic advisories
Athens
- West Union Street: West Union Street remains one-way eastbound; however, traffic now uses the newly paved north lane. Crews are removing asphalt from the southern lane from the Elks Lodge to the O’Bleness entrance. Asphalt is being removed from the west lane of Herrold Avenue to prepare for paving. Direct questions or concerns to the Engineering and Public Works Department at 740-593-7636.
Nelsonville
- No parking: West Franklin Street: No on-street parking until 5 p.m. today, July 2, during paving.
- No parking: Fort Street between Washington and Scott streets from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, through Friday, July 5.
Ohio Department of Transportation:
- Chauncey sanitary sewer project: SR 13 closed from SR 682 to West Bailey Road. Detour is SR 682 to U.S. 33 west to SR 78 to SR 685 to SR 13. Estimated completion: July 11.
- SR 690 resurfacing: Between U.S. 50 and SR 550. Short-term lane closures with flaggers. Expected completion: July 31.
- South Green Drive: Pedestrian safety improvements; 10-foot lane restriction. Expected completion: Aug. 5.
- U.S. 50 resurfacing: Lane closures from Della Drive to River Road; periodic ramp closures. Expected completion: Aug. 15.
- U.S. 50 traffic signal replacement: U.S. 50 at Washington Road/Meadowbrook Road in Albany. Short-term lane closures with flaggers. Underway. Expected completion: Nov. 1.
- SR 144 slope stabilization: One lane closed between Mountain Bell Road and SR 7; traffic maintained with temporary signals. Expected completion: Nov. 1.
Trimble Twp. 313: Resurfacing and culvert maintenance project through the Wallace O’Dowd Wildlife Area begins July 15. Road closures will be in place. Expected completion: Sept. 1.
Athens recent adopted ordinances
- 0-45-24: Authorizes the mayor to pay the $90,000 2024 membership fee for the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia (ORCA) using funds from the city’s transient guest tax. Introduced by Michael Wood.
- 0-53-24: Authorizes the mayor to apply for the city’s membership in the Southeast Ohio Recycling Terminal Council of Governments and to pay the $500 annual dues. The ordinance does not obligate the city to use COG programs or services and the mayor can decide to remove the city from the COG at his discretion. Introduced by all council members.
- 0-54-24: Rezones properties at 14, 20, 24, 30, 32, 34 and 36 Elliott Street, from R-3 residential, multi-family, to B-1 neighborhood business. Introduced by Alan Swank.
- 0-56-24: Amends ordinance 15-24 authorizing street closures to include closing East Union Street between Court and College streets for the Juneteenth Celebration on June 22. Introduced by Solveig Spjeldnes.
- 0-57-24: Authorizes the service-safety director to enter into a 20-year agreement with the Ohio Department of Administrative Services to lease 8.334 acres north of West State Street for proposed soccer fields. Lease effective May 1, 2024. Introduced by Micah McCarey.
- 0-58-24: Amends the 2024 Appropriation Ordinance to transfer a total of $141,000 from the unappropriated balance to the APR Income Tax Fund and the Capital Improvements Fund; and authorizing the service safety director to spend up to $340,000 from the APR Income Tax Fund, the Recreation Fund and the Capital Improvements Fund on the West State Park soccer fields Project #355. Introduced by McCarey.
- 0-59-24: Amends the 2024 fringe benefits package for the city’s nonunion personnel regarding pay for promoted employees. Introduced by the Finance & Personnel Committee.
- 0-60-24: Amends ordinance 28-24 to increase the amount transferred between parts of the ARPA Fund by $20,432.70, for a total of $160,432.70. Introduced by Jeff Risner.
- 0-61-24: Amends the 2024 appropriation ordinance 130-23 to add $9,000 from the unappropriated balance to the Garbage Fund for administrative fees and moving $96,887 from the APR Income Tax Fund, 273, T.C. 300, to T.C. 500. Introduced by council member Risner.
0-62-24: Amends the 2024 appropriation ordinance 130-23 to allocate from the unappropriated balance $2 million from the Street, Water and Sewer funds and authorizes the service-safety director to spend up to $2 million on street, water and sewer improvements for the Woodsedge infrastructure project #370 at University Estates. Contracts for the work are contingent on council’s amending the TIF agreement. Introduced by Swank.
Obituaries
The Athens County Independent publishes obituaries at no charge. Submit obituaries to obits@athensindependent.com.
