County to deed old hotel property to Worthington

The site of the old Williams Hotel building was cleared earlier this summer, and the resolution passed will deed all but 40 feet of the lot to the town of Worthington. That would come after a public hearing Oct. 21 at the next regular commissioner's meeting.

In early August, the commissioners approved a resolution and a $10,000 cash settlement payment to Robert and Becky Henry of Worthington for damages done to their building when the structure in Worthington was demolished. The Henrys were also deeded 40 feet of property as part of the agreement. The settlement releases the county from any future liability.

Worthington Town Council President Hal Harp told the Greene County Daily World that the town wants to allow the site to settle for a period of time -- maybe more than a year -- and then work with the Worthington Garden Club to set up a mini-park at the site.

The Worthington Town Council is expected to approve a similar resolution at its meeting next Tuesday night that will authorize the acceptance of the property from the county.

The old brick building complex was taken over by the county several years ago after $8,987.89 in property taxes was not paid.

The building went through two tax sales but did not sell. It was once owned by the Worthington Historical Society, but that organization had no money to pay the taxes and the building eventually became the county's property.

The commissioners also heard from rural Lyons resident Don Hasler, who wanted assurance that ditching and dredging work now under way on County Road 500S -- between County Road 500W and State Road 57S -- was not going to compromise the WPA Levee, which protects his property and other farmland in the area.

Hasler pointed out that if the work stayed on the south side of the road there would be no problems, but if they go to the northside, then the levee could potentially be damaged.

"What they are doing is changing the water flow," he said.

He said a similar dredging project in 2002 left the levee damaged in his view.

County Road Superintendent Basil Shepherd told Hasler and the commissioners that there are no plans to dredge on the northside of the roadway in building of a small ditch.

"We're not going to come close to his WPA levee," Shepherd said.

Hasler said he wanted to bring the matter before the commissioners so the issue would become a matter of public record.

The commissioners also gave Greene County Ambulance Service Director David Doane permission to re-advertise for the sale of a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV that was formally used as a "chase vehicle" by paramedic supervisor.

The vehicle, which was purchased at about $21,000, is no longer used by the EMS.

The vehicle was previously advertised with a $13,000 reserve or minimum bid. There was no bids received.

This time, the commissioners decided to take the reserve stipulation off the sale in hopes of selling the vehicle that has 53,466 miles.

Doane said the "Blue Book" price on the vehicle is currently $14,000.

The commissioners will reserve the right to accept or reject any bids received after Doane advertises it for sale for the second time.

"It's just sitting there (in the garage) depreciating," he stated.

However, he pointed out that it was almost too valuable to just hand it away at a low price.

"We just have to find the right fire department that needs it," he stated.

The commissioners also gave Doane permission to sell a 1998 ambulance, which is not in service and not operational, to Bill Babcock, of Bloomfield, for $205. The county will not be charged to tow away the vehicle.

The bid was tabled last meeting because the commissioners felt the price was too low, and authorized Doane to check into area scrap metal yards to see if more money might be raised for the surplus vehicle.

Doane presented three quotes ranging in price from $180 to $410, but by the time you figure in a tow bill, the bid from Babcock was very close.

In other matters, the commissioners:

* Appointed Brian Bredeweg as a member of the Busseron Conservancy District Advisory Board.

* Tabled a bid for elevator maintenance -- which had been discussed at the previous meeting.

* Approved claims totaling $284,366.59.

The commissioners agreed to change the date of its next regular meeting that is scheduled on Election Day, Nov. 4, which is a designated county holiday.

The meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5 in the commissioner's room -- located on the third floor of the county courthouse in Bloomfield.