Tue Feb 09 2010
By TODD HELBERG
An annexation petition that would bring 270 acres into Defiance was approved by Defiance County commissioners on Monday.
The land is located in Richland Township, just southeast of the Defiance city limits.
The primary area is within a triangle formed by Ayersville Avenue, Dohoney Road and Standley Road. Residences out-
side of the triangle -- on the opposite side of those roads -- are also included as are some which extend further southeast on Ayersville Avenue.
The annexation petition, signed by 110 of 167 property owners within the proposed area, sparked some concerns at a public hearing in Brunersburg on May 14.
"The commissioners took the job knowing we would have to make some tough decisions once in awhile," said Defiance County Commissioner Jim Harris. "It met all the requirements to be annexed."
Commissioners noted some "minor typographical errors" to an annexation map originally submitted, and made these corrections.
Commissioners' approval will leave final approval with Defiance City Council.
According to city law director David Williams, the petition must sit for 60 days after City Hall receives it. Council will then have 60 days after that period to approve the annexation.
A key component of the annexation proposal is dealing with an EPA mandate to have sewers installed in the area.
At present, the area is part of the Ayersville Water and Sewer District's planned "phase C" sewer project. However, the project has been delayed for years, and some residents are tired of waiting.
That helped prompt the annexation petition, according to those involved with the petition, with the city deemed a better option for completing the work.
If council approves the annexation, Williams said the EPA findings and orders "presumably" would pass to the city, which tentatively plans to complete the project and assess property owners for the cost. However, city officials have not determined what cost -- if any -- there may be to taxpayers.
"I think the city, in fairness to its taxpayers and sewer users, is going to have to make sure that work can be completed without some significant subsidy from City Hall in order to make this work," said Williams.
The cost of the new sewer is not known, he added.
A potential issue also remains with the cost of rebuilding Ayersville Avenue, a project the county has been planning for some time.
In other business, commissioners:
-- authorized the Ohio Special Olympics bike tour to use the courthouse steps from 5:45-6:30 p.m. on June 16. This will provide a meeting and photo opportunity with Special Olympics athletes.
-- met with Jack Graf and Larry Husted of Defiance County Job and Family Services. They noted that state budget cuts, reduced staffing and increased caseloads will prevent the Hicksville satellite office from reopening. Some re-applications can be done via phone (800-432-0160) although initial intakes must be done at the job and family services office on Evansport Road.
-- received Engineer Warren Schlatter's update. He told commissioners that county highway crews continue to work on Powers Road and Hicksville-Spencerville Road.
-- met with Defiance County Senior Services director Tina Hiler for an update on Area Office of Aging income.
-- discussed the proposed county annex renovation project with Bob Loversidge and Melinda Shah of Schooley-Caldwell and Associates. They reported that soil borings and survey work have been completed.
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