BURLINGTON – County commissioners heard reports Thursday night from the Burlington Concerned Citizens about the group’s park project.

Friday, August 25, 2000

BURLINGTON – County commissioners heard reports Thursday night from the Burlington Concerned Citizens about the group’s park project.

The Burlington Commons park and playground continues to grow, concerned citizens president Harriette Ramsey told commissioners, who met after the group’s meeting.

"We’ve had reunions there this summer," Mrs. Ramsey said. "It’s a nice place for kids and adults alike and continues to be used."

The park area now offers public restrooms, thanks to an Ohio Nature Works grant and the commissioners, she said.

Construction on a gazebo should start soon, with an opening tentatively scheduled for December, Mrs. Ramsey said.

The concerned citizens presented pictures and a report of what grants and county money have accomplished at the park.

Commissioners congratulated the citizens’ group, adding that such reports are what they would like to see from all county grant recipients.

The county is also helping the community in an effort to preserve the historic Burlington jail.

Commissioners coordinated the purchase of neighboring jail property, the old Payne property, several weeks ago. The purchase was finalized this week, concerned citizen and Lawrence County Historical Society member Dave Milem said.

The ultimate goal is to turn the old jail area into an historic site, with a museum, Milem said.

Citizens are continuing to work with the owners of the jail, he said.

"The property purchase will also compliment the existing park and perhaps one day lead to other activities," commission president Bruce Trent said.

In other action Thursday, commissioners:

– Heard a request from Rome Township trustees to continue storm drainage projects. The county will forward a phase four grant request to grant writers, although commissioners don’t know how much money is available, Trent said.

The priority has been for water projects but the county will endorse the Rome project, he said.

The current phase three of the drainage project has encountered a few difficulties, trustees reported.

Commissioners will try to schedule a meeting with project leaders and trustees to look at the problems, Trent said.

– Referred to the county engineer a request from Fayette No. 2 Volunteer Fire Department that a guardrail and signs be placed in the dangerous curve near the intersection of County Road 120 and Private Drive 3367.

Firefighters responded to three car accidents there in the last year – two fatal and one on Aug. 21 that was nearly fatal.

Commissioners agreed the area was dangerous and will prioritize the request.

– Agreed to forward requests for a stop sign on Center Street in Burlington to trustees

– Agreed to contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and legislators about residents’ concerns that a barge loading facility across the Ohio River from Burlington might not have a permit and will create considerable noise and dust.

– Agreed to contact owners of the Lowe’s property about cleaning a drainage ditch behind the store that has generated complaints.

– Copied a report on the intersection of County Road 14 and Ohio 141 to state transportation officials and the county engineer’s office, requesting work.

– Decided to place an old county Jeep and the old dog shelter truck, which does not work, in Saturday’s county property auction and sale. The county will also accept sealed bids on an old safe that had been stored at the Lawrence County Board of Elections.

– Voted to send a get well card to former county commissioner Dr. Carl Baker. Commissioner George Patterson said Dr. Baker is very ill and in St. Mary’s Hospital. It would be nice if a lot of people sent him cards, Patterson said.