Family services director OK’d

By MARK LAW, staff writer
STEUBENVILLE — Jefferson County commissioners Thursday hired a director for the county Job and Family Services Department and handed out $171,542 in recreation money to various municipalities.

Commissioners agreed to hire Elizabeth Ferron as director of the job and family services department. Ferron, who has 41 years of experience the department, was the interim director since the retirement of former Director Nicholas Balakos.

Ferron had been administrator of the child support division since 1993, prior to becoming interim director. She still has to enter into a contract but will be paid $80,000 a year.

“She’s an excellent candidate and it’s a good decision,” said county Commissioner Adam Scurti.

County Commissioner Thomas Graham said there were 26 applicants, 10 of whom were interviewed for the job.

“I’m happy to say Betty came out on top,” Graham said.

County Commissioner David Maple said Ferron had done an excellent job as interim director and he is pleased she is taking over on a full-time basis. Maple said the application process was “apolitical and objective.”

Commissioners also handed out $171,542 in piggyback tax recreation money.

The Friendship Park Board had asked townships, villages and cities to forgo an allotment this year so the board could receive $100,000 for a sewage treatment system at the park.

Andy Bryan, a Friendship Park board member, said the the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has suggested the sewage from the park be pumped to the Smithfield treatment plant.

“The park can’t develop without sewage treatment,” Bryan said. “We are locked into activities at the park (without sewage treatment). We can’t furnish restroom facilities or have activities that attract a large amount of people.”

He said the park board is looking at developing a master plan for the park, which could include more activities at the lake or expansion of the campgrounds.

“The development of the sewage treatment opens the park to unlimited possibilities,” he said.

In addition to the $100,000 to Friendship Park, the commissioners granted the following communities recreation money: Island Creek Township, $5,000; Warren Township, $3,200; Richmond, $5,000; Empire, $8,500; Adena, $8,000; Steubenville, $8,000; Bergholz, $2,500; Tiltonsville, $4,500; Salem Township, $3,000; Dillonvale, $4,000; Wintersville, $4,000; Irondale, $3,541; New Alexandria, $8,301 as a match for a state Nature Works grant for improvements to the village park; and Toronto, $12,000.

Commissioners noted Wells Township also may receive money.

Maple complemented the communities that gave up recreation money this year so Friendship Park could get the $100,000. He wants those communities to get preference for next year’s recreation money distribution.

Graham said he wants some day to see the development of a countywide community center that benefits all residents.

Commissioners also:

¯ Approved a contract by a vote of 2-1 with MS Consultants to do engineering work and construction oversight for the Rush Run water line project. Maple voted against the contract, saying he has been asking for other engineering consultants to be considered for work with the water and sewer department.

Jack Gilmore, county sanitary engineer, said MS Consultants had done the preliminary work and it would cause a delay in the project to select another engineering firm.

¯ Heard from Marjie DeFede of the county animal shelter task force about two possible locations for the shelter. County voters approved a levy in the primary election to build a new animal shelter.

The two locations are on state Route 43 at the County Services Complex and at the Jefferson County Air Park.

Commissioners said they will advertise for an architect for the project and then will do a more complete analysis of possible sites.

¯ Distributed money to various veterans’ organizations for Memorial Day activities.

¯ Heard from Rick Barr, district manager of Environmental Logistics Services — the owner of the Apex Landfill. Barr updated commissioners on efforts by the company to reduce noise and odor complaints at the Amsterdam landfill.

¯ Agreed at the request of county Engineer James Branagan to advertise for bids for a resurfacing project for various township roads.

The engineer’s estimate is $315,555. Branagan noted the project is partially funded with an Ohio Public Works Commission grant.



(Law can be contacted at mlaw@heraldstaronline.com.)