New environmental health director named
Retiring Logan County District Board of Health member Bob Harrison received a surprise recognition at the conclusion of the board’s Wednesday meeting, March 8, as he was named the Employee of the Month and was presented with a nostalgic letter from his past to recognize his 10 years of service to the agency.
Logan County Health Commissioner Travis Irvan gave Harrison a framed letter from early 2013, when Harrison sent in his letter of interest for serving on the board. He was voted in for the position that spring at the District Advisory Council meeting.
“I’ve enjoyed my time as a board member. It’s always been an interesting experience,” Harrison said, also noting that he was especially proud of the LCHD’s efforts to achieve public health accreditation.
Harrison served as president of the board for a number of years took the public role to heart, rarely if ever missing a meeting, and was a familiar friendly face at the 310 S. Main St. office, officials said.
“Bob has provided a dedicated service to the community as a strong public health advocate,” Irvan said. “We want to express our heartfelt thanks and wish him and his family and friends many more years together.”
“Bob provided terrific perspective and brought so much valuable experience to the board,” Board President Dr. Grant Varian said.
A replacement for Harrison’s board seat will be named at the upcoming Logan County Health District District Advisory Council meeting, slated for 6 p.m. Thursday, March 23, at the Grange Building on the Logan County Fairgrounds (a time change from previous announcements).
Also during the meeting, members approved the promotion of Safety and Sanitation Coordinator Matt Stonerock to environmental health director, upon the retirement of current Environmental Health Director Tim Smith.
Smith retires effective April 28 after 35 years of service to the agency, as previously announced. Beginning April 1, Stonerock will be training alongside Smith, and then Stonerock transitions to his new role April 29.
The board also approved a one-year contract extension for Dr. Nicholas Morton to continue serving as the LCHD’s part-time medical director, effective April 1, at the same rate. Dr. Morton is a provider at Mary Rutan Hospital OBGYN.
During the health commissioner reports, Irvan also detailed the agency’s popular social media posts for the past month, including a Facebook post addressing some residents’ concerns about local drinking water following the train derailment in East Palestine.
Irvan said the latest data from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency shows that the Central Ohio area does not pull any water from Columbiana County. The contamination from this incident is expected to naturally flow down and away from Central Ohio.
“Ohio EPA and US EPA continue to track and monitor the contamination data, and if we hear of any risk to Central Ohio, we will be sure to let our residents know,” Irvan said.
The Logan County Health District has an EPA approved lab to conduct well testing for any residents who want to ensure their water is safe. To schedule a test, please visit https://www.loganhealthohio.gov/water-sample-request.
In other action, the board:
• heard an update from representatives of La Palma, 2201 S. Main St., Bellefontaine, who contracted with a professional cleaning service this week to address grease build-up on kitchen equipment, with environmental health specialist in training Jennifer Mitchell noting a “substantial improvement” after the professional cleaning; monthly inspections will continue and the board thanked the representatives for their cooperation;
• renewed custodian Bert Kauffman’s contract for one year, effective April 1;
• ordered Connie Francis, owner of a property at 7694 County Road 91, Lewistown, to remove large piles of solid waste to a licensed disposal facility within seven days;
• approved a well variance request for John and Karen Aston, 9174 Breezy Way, lot 30, Belle Center; and
• approved a variance request for Alex Pitchford, an agent for Sharon Snyder, for a new home construction on 8806 County Road 2, Zanesfield, to place a temporary holding tank at the home, with a high-water alarm and a service provider contract, until soil conditions are suitable for complete system installation.
The next meeting is 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 12.