New committee put together for project

 

As the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office works to relocate the jail to Scioto County, Lawrence County Commission President Les Boggs wants to set in motion a long-term plan to build a jail in the county.

“I want to start a small committee that will come up with a proposal for Lawrence County to have its own jail,” Boggs said at Thursday’s regular commission meeting.

Recently, the county commission accepted an offer by the state to take over a 100-bed unit inside the Ohio River Valley Juvenile Correctional Facility at Franklin Furnace the state closed approximately four years ago. The center has remained idle since then, but now both the Lawrence jail and STAR Community Justice Center next to the ORVJC appear ready to move into it.

For at least a year the current county jail has repeatedly failed to meet state regulations on a number of issues including space requirements for inmates. To provide the county with a new facility for a jail was the goal of the state’s offer.

Before the county makes the move the state said it will put on a new roof and upgrade the facility’s plumbing. After that, maintenance would be up to the county and STAR. That is a concern to Boggs, who looks at ORVJC as a temporary solution.

“If we have any major repairs,” he said after the meeting. “I am looking to have a jail in Lawrence County. Franklin Furnace is temporary. We need a long-term strategic plan.”

Boggs has already approached some county residents about serving on the committee, which he wants in place by mid-August for its first meeting.

“We will try to come up with some kind of plan and I’m confident we can,” he said.

He would like the proposal to be completed in 10 months.

When contacted, Sheriff Jeff Lawless said he supported building a new jail.

“I think it is vitally important that Lawrence County has its own jail within Lawrence County that we can maintain and operate,” Lawless said.

The sheriff said he is also concerned about there being enough funds to make the move to Scioto County as well as covering the increased staffing costs required by the new facility.

“I would like to do (the move) as soon as possible so we could alleviate the overcrowding situation,” he said. “It would be better for everyone.”

After the meeting, Commissioner Bill Pratt questioned where the funding would come from building a new jail.

“It would be great to have the jail in Lawrence County,” Pratt said. “I don’t know what the ideas are for paying for that and where the money is coming from. I agree with Les but I just want to be careful to not step on the toes of those who are handing out gifts.”

County treasurer Stephen Burcham reported that second-half tax collections came in at almost a quarter of a million dollars more than second half in 2013 or at $10,260,645. Total year collections were $27,912,624 compared to $27,055,000 in 2013.

“It is another record setting year,” Burcham said.

Also at the meeting Pratt said there appears to be an agreement between the county and the Chesapeake Board of Education about using the modular units at the Chesapeake Community Center as a part-time senior citizens center.

“That will allow for three days a week for meals,” Pratt said. “It will be an all-volunteer basis.”

The community center will expand its liability coverage to the units and the school district wants the center also to take over the structural coverage as well. The community center would also pick up the utilities.

The units were set up next to the community center originally by the Chesapeake school district for its Head Start program. Last year that was moved to the elementary school.

“It was presented to the board of education (Wednesday) that they would like to utilize the building for a senior center,” Chesapeake Superintendent Jerry McConnell, said.

“The board of education has always felt it would be appropriate to offer it for that use,” he said. “I believe we are very close to their using the facility.”

In other action the commission:

• Approved the demolition for John and Judy Baker of property located at State Route 243;

• Donated 109 hours of sick time for an EMS employee on medical leave;

• Approved Clean Ohio Revitalization Disbursement Request No. 8 of $70,473.27 for the cleanup of the Alpha Portland Cement plant site.