ROME TOWNSHIP— The Lawrence County Commission Friday approved a new contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3319 A, which represents seven employees at the Union-Rome Sewer District.

Although it does not contain a raise, it does give each employee a one-time bonus of $1,475 and it ends some uncertainty for the workers, who have been on the job without an official agreement for about a year.

“It’s always better to have a little protection,” Union-Rome employee Lisa Pine said. “We’re happy we finally have an agreement and we’ll work with the commissioners like we always do.”

The new one-year pact is effective retroactively to July 1 and expires May 31, 2008.

Commissioners also signed off on the sale of a house held in the county’s name that was once a part of the old River Valley Hospital property. The house at 2204 S. Eighth St., was sold to businessman Jay Zornes for $36,100.

The commission also donated the chair of the late George Patterson to the Old Historic Jail At Burlington Committee. The chair may eventually be on display once the old stone jail is restored and a museum created in it.

The commission also recognized Lawrence County Urban Technician Joe Black, who has been awarded the Ohio Floodplain Management Association’s Distinguished Member Service Award.

The honor was betowed to Black “for contributions … made to promote OFMA goals and objectives,” according to a letter from that association.