niedbala@observer-reporter.com
WAYNESBURG - Greene County commissioners approved a resolution Thursday to sign agreements related to a $198,550 grant the county has received for improvements at the county airport.
The grant, which is for federal money passed through the state Department of Transportation's Bureau of Aviation, will be used primarily to repave taxiways adjacent to the airport runway, chief clerk Gene Lee said.
"They're still holding up, but they need to be repaved," Lee said. The apron and the airport runway are in better condition than the taxiways, he said.
Some of the money also will be used to begin design work on a plan to build new hangars on the north side of the runway, Lee said.
The development of the north side of the runway is included in the airport master plan, which recently was submitted to the Bureau of Aviation for approval.
The master plan, prepared by the county and consultants from L. Robert Kimball and Associates, calls for making improvements to existing facilities to increase the airport's use by recreational fliers and area businesses.
In addition to re-paving taxiways and improving pilot navigational aids, the plan calls for building new hangars and other airside facilities on the north side of the runway.
Hangars and other buildings are now on the south side of the runway along Route 21. Moving them to the north side is expected to open space for the development of an area that could include restaurants and shops that tie into the nearby retail development at Waynesburg Crossing.
The plan does not call for extending the runway at this time. That was not a recommendation because of the costs, estimated to exceed $10 million, and because of projections of future airport use.
Lee said the county hopes to begin the repaving project sometime this year.
During a salary board meeting that followed the commissioners' meeting, the board approved a 3.5 percent cost of living increase, effective July 1, for all management employees.
The increase covers about 70 employees including department and deputy department heads and supervisors. It does not include elected officials.
The increase was mandated by a previous resolution, said Tracy Zivkovich, human resources director. It bases the increase on the average consumer price index for the last three years, she said.
The board approved the elimination of the position of community development manager in the Department of Economic Development. The post was held by Darlene Urban Garrett, who has been laid off, Zivkovich said.
Commissioner Pam Snyder later explained that the position was no longer needed with the completion of the county's comprehensive plan.
The money for the position will be used to begin implementing the plan, especially in regard to housing, which the plan cites as a major issue for the county, Snyder said.
The board hired five casual corrections officers - Melissa Baker, Jennifer Hinds, David Wingard, Daryl Shea and Erin Whoolery. They will be paid $75 a day. Thomas Bennett also was hired as a substitute van driver for the Human Services Department at a $8.90 an hour.