Village gets vets parking sign

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Greenfield was presented a handicapped veteran parking sign on Wednesday by Support Our Troops of Highland County (SOTOHC) as part of the group’s ongoing efforts across the county.

Stephanie Roland with SOTOHC made the presentation. The signs have also been presented to the Highland County Board of Commissioners, Hillsboro City Council, and Leesburg Village Council.

While one sign was given to Greenfield, Roland said if the village was interested in more, to contact SOTOHC.

Last spring SOTOHC brought a Vietnam traveling tribute to Liberty Park. Funds left over from the community’s generous donations, Roland said in January, allowed for the purchase of 10 special handicapped veteran parking signs. She said the signs are legal by state standards.

There was no discussion Wednesday as to where the sign might be placed, though council members praised the idea of designated parking for handicapped veterans.

In other business, city manager Ron Coffey reported that he has contacted the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission (OVRDC) in regard to grant funding on a possible transloading facility off the railroad tracks between South Washington and South Second streets in Greenfield.

Corvac Composites, Coffey said, has expressed interest in such a facility. And if the village had a transloading facility, it would be open for use to other businesses as well.

A transloading facility would allow businesses using it to ship materials by rail and transport to and from the rail by truck, which is cheaper than strictly over-the-road shipping, Coffey said.

Coffey said the OVRDC “has indicated (the village) would be a good candidate for funding.” Coffey said he “is trying to get a head start as these applications take some time.”

But while Coffey is trying to get the ball rolling on funding for the transloading facility, which would require building a rail spur, council member Chris Borreson said he would like the village to consider an existing spur, which does not belong to the village. He said it would be cheaper to use that spur, located outside the village, and build an access road.

“I want building a railroad track to be the last option,” Borreson said, citing not only the expense of building, but the maintenance expense.

Coffey said he would bring the matter up for discussion at the next shippers meeting, and council chair Betty Jackman said the idea would be looked into further.

On another matter, Coffey said a site assessment will be conducted on Monday, Feb. 22 at the Greenfield Industrial Park. The assessment is part of an initiative to showcase the park. The city manager previously reported that the park had been selected to be a part of the 2016 Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth (APEG) Featured Facilities Sites Initiative.

“As we still have a large area of industrial park land that could be developed, it is my hope that we can bring additional jobs to Greenfield through this initiative,” Coffey said at a January meeting of council.

Coffey reported that there has been positive progress in the matter of a home on South Street that burned more than a year ago. Safety concerns about the structure have been a topic at numerous council meetings. He said Wednesday that the homeowners have contracted with someone to demolish the structure, which is to be done as soon as weather permits and “utility lines are retired.”

An executive session was held for the purpose of discussing pending litigation. There was no action taken.

Greenfield Village Council meets the first and third Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers. The meetings are open to the public. Those wishing to speak at the meeting should call the village offices at 937-981-3500 beforehand to be put on the agenda.

Reach Angela Shepherd at 937-393-3456, ext. 1681, or on Twitter @wordyshepherd.

Stephanie Roland with Support Our Troops of Highland County is pictured at Greenfield’s council meeting on Wednesday with one of the specially-made signs designating parking for handicapped veterans.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2016/02/web1_Roland.jpgStephanie Roland with Support Our Troops of Highland County is pictured at Greenfield’s council meeting on Wednesday with one of the specially-made signs designating parking for handicapped veterans.
Greenfield transloading facility options to be examined

By Angela Shepherd

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