Commissioners continue to discuss Salem Township zoning issue

The Highland County Board of Commissioners are moving forward to abolish the Salem Township zoning ordinance, which had voters' approval years ago, but may have less support today.

After announcing at the Nov. 6 commission meeting that Salem Township trustees are in favor of doing away with zoning, commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer said at this week's board meeting that there have been no objections raised with the proposed action.

As reported last week, commissioners are accepting comments from Salem Township residents regarding the township's zoning regulations.

Wilkin said at the Nov. 6 meeting that he and Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins met with Salem Township trustees and discussed the "trouble keeping a zoning board and an appeals board."

"We need some direction from Salem Township trustees, or this board (the county commission) can do away with the zoning," Wilkin said, basing this on a legal opinion from Collins.

"We have a company in Salem Township, they need a zoning change, but we don't have a zoning board," Wilkin said.

At the Nov. 13 commissioners' meeting, Commissioner Horst said "I have not heard one thing from anyone (regarding the zoning regulations)."

Wilkin said he heard from one resident asking to see a copy of the zoning regulations.

No action was taken on the Salem Township zoning ordinance at either the Nov. 6 or Nov. 13 meetings; however, commissioners will revisit the issue at their Wednesday, Nov. 20 board meeting prior to taking action.

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In business, commissioners approved the following resolutions, each by a 3-0 vote:

• Commissioners authorized a contractual agreement for CDBG South High Street Curb Replacement in Hillsboro to Brad Roades for $33,327.40. According to Wilkin, since all initial bids came in at a higher cost than estimated by Highland County Engineer Dean Otworth, the project has been reduced in scope.

• The auditor requested a modification to the 0095 Juvenile Probation in the amount of $5,542.96.

• HCDJ&FS requested a modification within Children Services Fund in the amount of $42,302.45.

• Sheriff requested a modification within Sheriff Fund in the amount of $10,000.

• Sheriff requested a modification within Sheriff Fund in the amount of $5,500.

• Sheriff requested a modification within Sheriff Fund in the amount of $2,500.

• HCDJ&FS requested reimbursement of funds from C-45 to H-00 in the amount of $12,280.30.

• Highland County Court requested additional appropriations from unappropriated funds to County Court-Special Projects Fund in the amount of $500.

• Commissioners requested additional appropriations from unappropriated funds to Hotel Lodging Tax in the amount of $6,980.95.

• Commissioners requested a modification from 0077 to TC in the amount of $16.93.

• Commissioners passed a resolution appointing Chuck Taylor as the CORSA loss control coordinator.

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• Commissioners announced that a reception for Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward will be 6-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15 at Alley 21 in Hillsboro. Ward recently resigned as sheriff. His last day as sheriff will be Nov. 16.

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• Commissioners proclaimed the week of Nov. 16-24 as National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Month during their Nov. 13 board meeting. Amy Roades, Bill Fife, Greg Hawkins, Rhonda Kidder and Ruth Cutright were present for the proclamation.

National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Month is a national effort by the National Coalition for the Homeless to promote education, action and awareness about hunger and homelessness. The Highland County Homeless Shelter is sponsoring the local event.

The shelter will be open for tours Monday, Nov. 18-Friday, Nov. 22 during business hours. There also will be a food and necessities drive for area homeless.

For more information or to donate, call 393-0634 or visit www.hcshelter.org.

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• Commissioners proclaimed the week of Nov. 18-22 as Home Health Aide Week in Highland County during their Nov. 13 board meeting.

Present for the proclamation were Highland District Hospital Home Health Aide Joann Howard, RN Hazel Smith, and HDH CEO Jim Baer.

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• Highland County Bill Fawley said the 2014 dog licenses will be available from Dec. 1-Jan. 31. Licenses can be purchased online at: http://www.highlandcountyauditor.org. Online purchases require an additional $2.

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• Shaffer updated commissioners on the Digital Works employment opportunities in the Lynchburg area. Approximately 230 people have signed up for the orientation.

The first-year goal of Digital Works is to train a minimum of 75 people in the Highland and Clinton County areas. At the end of the training, each person who completes the program is guaranteed a job, earning up to $13-$17 per hour, the newly formed Appalachian Gateway Development Board stated.

For more information, go to: http://www.highlandcountypress.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=20177&Se….

Information also is available by emailing Joel Pierre at lynchburgcc@gmail.com, or calling Karen Cook, office manager of the Clinton County Employment and Training One-Stop Center, at (937) 382-7762 or Rick Thompson of the Highland County Employment Center at (937) 393-1933.

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• The Highland County commissioners will hold a special meeting at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15, 2013 to appoint and swear in Charles Middleton as sheriff.