By Ryan Berry

DailyAdvocate.com

GREENVILLE — On Tuesday, during the regular meeting of the the Darke County Commission, Commissioners Matt Aultman, Larry Holmes and Marshall Combs recognized all first responders by signing a proclamation declaring Oct. 28 at First Responders’ Appreciation Day.

According to the proclamation, first responders include 9-1-1 dispatchers, law enforcement officers, professional and volunteer firefighters, professional and volunteer emergency medical services personnel, emergency management professionals, rescue teams, rescue pilots and others in the public safety sector.

The proclamation states, “These courageous men and women are the first who protect life, evidence, property, or the environment during early stages of an emergency. Most often, they are responsible for going immediately to the scene of an accident or emergency to provide aid.”

By signing the proclamation, the commissioners encouraged all to recognize and express gratitude for all that the first responders to for our communities.

Commissioners also opened bids for the construction of a new water to replace the existing water tower in Gettysburg. The county is providing $500,000 of the funds needed through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The remainder of the funds will come from the Village of Gettysburg. The engineer’s estimate for the water tower was listed as $1.3 million.

The county received four bids with a three of the bids near the estimate. The main bid is for a pedestal-type water tower. The alternative bid is for a water that stands on four legs. According to Gettysburg officials, over the course of time, the pedestal style is less expensive to maintain.

The lowest bid for the pedestal water tower came from McGuire Tank Experts, of Sioux Falls, SD. Their bid was $1,303,000. The alternate bid would deduct $45,000 from that total. Caldwell, of Louisville, Ky. submitted a bid of $1,306,700 with a deduct of $81,200 on the alternate bid. Pittsburg Tank & Tower Group, of Henderson, Ky. submitted a bid of $1,317,477 with a deduct of $50,000 on the alternate bid. Phoenix Fabricators & Erectors, LLC, of Avon, Ind. submitted a bid of $1,582,517 with a deduct of $199,257 on the alternate bid.

Commissioners accepted the bids for review. Commissioner Aultman explained the county was responsible for getting the bids because of the CDBG funds that will be used on the project.

The commissioners also approved a standard form agreement and a notice to proceed between the commission for the Village of Versailles and Shinn Bros., Inc. The construction company won the bid to complete the North Central Area Waterline Improvement for the Village of Versailles. The village will pay for the nearly $1.3 million project with a CDBG Critical Infrastructure Grant from the county for $470,000, Ohio Public Works Commission Grant and Loan for $498,000 and $311,000 in local funds. The project must be completed by Sept. 15, 2024.

To contact Daily Advocate Editor Ryan Berry, email [email protected].