~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline
The Greene County board of supervisors moved another step closer to purchasing a building to renovate as a law enforcement administration center at its Sept. 14 regular meeting.
The supervisors held a public hearing concerning the purchase of the Midland Power Cooperative office building and grounds west of the Jefferson Municipal Cemetery.
The purchase price was given as $600,000, to be paid in installments. No oral or written objections to the purchase had been received by the board and no one objected at the public hearing.
County attorney Thomas Laehn advised the board to postpone a decision on the purchase until an actual installment purchase agreement has been written.
The public hearing was a step forward toward the purchase of the building and grounds where both the county sheriff and Jefferson police department would be housed. The board has previously discussed the need for a new jail after acquiring the Midland property.
In another law enforcement matter, Laehn said he met with county sheriff Jack Williams and Jefferson police chief Mark Clouse last week to discuss a 28E agreement between the county and the city of Jefferson concerning law enforcement coverage of the city due to the city’s loss of police officers.
“The agreement will be between the sheriff’s office, city, and county,” Laehn said. “To rebuild the police department, they will need two new officers by Nov. 13.”
Laehn said the agreement should be written by next week and would be in effect Oct. 1, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2021.
Board chair John Muir said, “We want a good, healthy police department in Jefferson. We want the city to find the best people they can.”
The board agreed the situation between the county and city is “not antagonistic.”
Laehn estimated it would take a year for the police department to rebuild.
At previous board meetings, Williams cautioned covering law enforcement needs of Jefferson would put a strain on deputies and overtime. He has said only basic law enforcement needs of the city could be covered by deputies.
Jefferson officers will continue to work full schedules, with deputies covering only when no JPD officers are scheduled.
In other business, Laehn reported the first trial during the pandemic will be held Sept. 29. The former middle school gymnasium will be rented for jury selection as the courtroom does not have enough space to socially distance. The rental will cost $50.
Engineer Wade Weiss reported on weekend work by secondary roads employees to repair roads affected by the recent rains.
Jefferson city administrator Mike Palmer updated the board on city projects and was asked about the use of the new runway extension at the airport. There was speculation about “small jets” being able to use it.
The board went into drainage trustee session and paid estimate number two for DD-187, located in Franklin and Greenbrier townships. The payment was unanimously approved for $72,832.
Reclassification of DD-191, located between Scranton and Jefferson, was unanimously approved. Jacob Hagen of Bolton and Menk consulting engineers in Jefferson presented a map of the district and explained the basis for classifying properties within the drainage district to determine what each should pay for the service.
Classification is done according to 1) soil wetness of the property, 2) proximity to the tile, 3) the degree of use, 4) right of way adjustment for roadways.
