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Demo work at county home stalls

LISBON — Columbiana County commissioners have pulled the plug on the County Home demolition project, at least for now, after running into problems with the contractor.

Commissioners on Wednesday voted to cancel the contract with Amish Olde Wood of Barberton, which was ordered to cease operations 10 days ago because of their displeasure with how work was progressing.

Amish Old Wood was hired last July on the recommendation of Commission President Jim Hoppel, with the company offering to work for free in exchange for the salvageable materials, such as foundation stones, bricks and boards, which it intended to sell. The main building that makes up the County Home was constructed in 1845.

“He originally told us it would take four months … It should’ve been done in November,” Hoppel said. Commissioners reported at the time the company had nine months to complete the job.

Earlier this month, a dispute arose between Amish Olde Wood and a subcontractor it hired for the job. “This was just turning into a problem we don’t want to have,” Hoppel said, which is why he recommended the contract be terminated.

The County Home complex consists of four buildings that once served as a poorhouse for the elderly, sick and mentally ill. The complex closed in 1977, and most of the buildings were in bad shape at the time and have since fallen into decay or collapsed.

Hoppel said commissioners removed the newest building, which was still in relatively good shape, from the project because of how long it was taking for Amish Olde Wood to raze the three older buildings. He said one building is completely razed, a second is over half demolished, while the third remains intact.

“I think he has taken down quite a bit and it hasn’t cost us a dime, but it’s just getting to be a problem,” Hoppel said.

Commissioners intend to look for another company willing to tear down what remains for free in exchange for salvageable materials. “We will continue with the tear down, but we have to see how we want to work this,” he said.

In other action, commissioners:

— Accepted the recommendation of county Engineer Bert Dawson to award a bridge rehabilitation contract in New Waterford to Marcucci & Gaffney Excavating Co., which submitted the second lowest bid at $341,143 after the lowest bidder failed to meet the bidding requirements. The bridge to be repaired is on Waterford Road/Main Street, just inside New Waterford village limits.

— Revised the courthouse employee travel policy to increase the meal allowance to a combined $70 per day. The old policy placed caps on breakfast, lunch and dinner which were not allowed to total more than $50. “If you’re at some of our (commissioner association) conventions you usually can’t eat breakfast for less than $20,” Hoppel said.

tgiambroni@mojonews.com

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