County commissioners put $1,600 down on property adjacent to the old Burlington jail Thursday, a move that will preserve an historic site.

Friday, July 07, 2000

County commissioners put $1,600 down on property adjacent to the old Burlington jail Thursday, a move that will preserve an historic site.

"It will ultimately be a benefit to the county for historical purposes," commission president Bruce Trent said.

The commission approved a motion to allow Trent to enter into an agreement with undisclosed parties to purchase the property for $16,000.

The county will conduct title search and other work before executing the full deed, Trent said.

"I think it’s a smart move," said Dave Milem, a member of the Concerned Citizens of Burlington and a Lawrence County Historical Society board member.

Both groups are interested in old Burlington, where the first county seat existed, for historic and community value, Milem said.

The concerned citizens have been interested in the old jail for some time and has hopes of purchasing it with county help, he said.

The groups would like to see the old jail preserved as a museum and the adjacent lot used for parking, although they have taken no action on those plans yet, Milem said.

In other action Thursday, commissioners:

– Announced that the Ohio Public Works Commission awarded grants totaling $700,000 to the county. About $180,000 will begin the second phase of the High Avenue storm sewer project in Chesapeake. Joint paving projects received $250,000. And $261,000 will go toward the Proctorville sewer pump station rehabilitation.

– By a 2-1 vote, issued a written reprimand to three county maintenance employees, Wendy Murnahan, Ernie Sizemore and Bob Nance, for a painting job commissioners assigned them at the Lawrence County Board of Elections office, which is under renovation.

Commissioner George Patterson cast the only dissenting vote.

Connie Boll, president of American Federation of County, State and Municipal Employees Local 3319B, said the union will file a grievance over the matter because the commission handled the situation too severely.

Both Murnahan and Sizemore said a written reprimand was undeserved for extra work they were asked to do. All three employees would not sign the reprimands.

– Approved by a 2-1 vote a change in how county work orders will be handled. Commissioner George Patterson voted no.

– Announced there will be no commissioners meeting next week due to the fair. Also, the June 27 meeting will be held at 9 a.m.