By 1812Blockhouse
The May 14 Board of Commissioners meeting had a unique highlight: the approval of a road closure for film production. Here’s a breakdown of the meeting, focusing on this exciting development, along with other key decisions on asphalt contracts, routine approvals, and building maintenance.
Road Closure for Film Production
The meeting took a creative turn as the Commissioners discussed and approved a request to close Richland Shale Road for a film shoot. The Heartland Horror Chronicles, a local film project, will be using the road for scenes on June 10 and 11, with June 12 as a backup date in case of inclement weather. This marks a novel use of county roads, reflecting Ohio’s growing presence in the film industry.
The road closure permit, similar to those issued for parades, involves providing barricades and flaggers to maintain local traffic flow. The production team will set up on Richland Shale Road, a less-traveled area near the Mansfield airport, ensuring minimal disruption. The permit includes a $100 fee to cover the county’s costs for providing barricades.
Commissioner Banks expressed enthusiasm for the project, highlighting the exciting opportunity it brings to the county. “It’s not every day we get to support a film production. This is a fantastic way to showcase our community and add a bit of Hollywood glamour to our roads,” he remarked.
Asphalt Contracts Approved
In addition to the film production, the Board tackled essential infrastructure projects. They reviewed and approved asphalt contracts with Sarver Paving and Marzan Materials. Sarver Paving, located in Ashland, offered surface asphalt at $75 per ton and base asphalt at $66 per ton. Mar-zane Materials, based in Mansfield, proposed $86 per ton for surface asphalt and $75 per ton for base asphalt.
The decision to split the contracts between the two suppliers was strategic, based on their locations. This approach ensures efficient and cost-effective transportation and use of materials, benefiting the northern and southern parts of the county respectively.
Routine Approvals and Promotions
The meeting proceeded with several routine approvals. The Board certified the record of proceedings for May 9th, approved requisitions, and moved forward with an electric aggregation certificate application. Additionally, Hunter Brock was promoted to Training Officer 1 from his previous role as an Eligibility Referral Specialist 2 at Jobs and Family Services, effective May 23.
Addressing Building Maintenance Issues
Superintendent Josh Hicks presented proposals to address critical cooling issues in the county building. The Board approved quotes from Smart for both labor and parts, including a temporary mobile air unit to be installed in the parking lot and integrated into the building’s system.
This temporary solution is expected to be operational within a week, providing much-needed relief while a long-term fix is explored. The current system, a 10-year-old water-cooled Chiller, is experiencing issues that require immediate attention.
Permit and Cost Discussions
Towards the end of the meeting, discussions focused on the details of the road closure permit and associated costs. Representatives from the News Journal and Richland Source raised questions about the permit for the film production, safety services, and the justification for the asphalt supplier costs.
Commissioner Banks explained that the strategic selection of suppliers based on geographic locations helps minimize travel time and costs, ensuring that materials remain in optimal condition for road repairs. The Board also clarified that the film production would involve standard safety measures, including flaggers and barricades, with no expected damage to the right of way.
Image by Mediamodifier from Pixabay
