Ashland County Board of Commissioners
Thursday, April 13th, meeting
Key Action Jeromesville resident Christina Stump presented a PowerPoint presentation detailing the potential harm to wildlife if solar panels were built in Bayer Woods.
The discussion journal presented possible solutions for the solar panel project, including a proposal to place the panels in Avian Acres, a 300-acre Ashland County park.
Read more: New dog shelter at the Ashland County Health Department building
"For example, Avian Acres is a great place," he explains. “After nesting season, we can plant and cut the alfalfa. This is good for bobolink.'
Bobolinka are found within 300 meters of a tree or similar structure, and the migration stops in Byers Woods, where they live in open prairie. Because these open spaces are designated areas for solar panels, Stump said, they leave no room for birds to nest.
Stamp is concerned that other birds, such as sparrows and purple martins, will compete with bobolinks for grass space.
"You're saying that the bobolink didn't come in because another bird entered or nested," said Commissioner James Justice.
"Yes," Stomp replied. "Bobolinkas probably wouldn't even try to nest there."
More business at Ashland County Commissioners meeting
Asphalt Materials Inc., which cost less than $1.4 million for the Department of Highways' liquid asphalt pavement. accepted and a contract signed with the company.
Approved a $435,700 contract with US Bridges for the installation of the superstructure and replacement of the bridge deck at 1575 County Road.
Effective May 1, they voted to put 1 percent of local sales tax, which was deposited into an employee payroll fund, into a capital projects fund.
The trip was facilitated by Ryan Atty and Kevin Pascho from Dana Gillespie's Office of Employment and Family Services and the Office of Engineering.
Donations received to the Ashland County Dog Shelter total $5,546.
Receipt of $4,950 for a new garage door at Perrysville Garage by Magic Garage Door, Inc.
Approved the notice to hold a public hearing on May 11 at 9:15 a.m. to announce the community development assistance project.
County Solid Waste Coordinator Jim Skora said of the Freon Equipment Program that district residents will receive two vouchers for Freon kits and the 2023 paint and household hazardous waste collection date is 8 p.m. May 6 at 13.00 in Market Square.
At 9:15 a.m. they opened a bid to close the road. The $228,000 bid came from Melway Paving, well short of the $230,000 estimate.
UP NEXT will meet on Thursday, April 27 at 09.00 in the conference room on the second floor of the District Administration Building. The meeting is open to the public and will be broadcast live on City's Facebook page.
This article originally appeared in Ashland Times: Ashland Commissioner Warns Against Solar Panels in Byers Woods.
