Mowing date is set for Holmes County’s Legacy Point
Much of the work surrounding the creation of Legacy Point, the former Holmes County Landfill, has been completed by volunteers. The Holmes County commissioners turned their attention to creating a mowing schedule that will allow the birds that naturally nest in the high grass area a chance to birth their young offspring prior to the time the grass is cut.
When the Holmes County commissioners and the Holmes County Park District board put in place a plan to create a natural wilderness park in the former Holmes County Landfill, one of its goals was to create a natural haven for wildlife that centered around building the perfect home for all types of birds.
With that in mind, it was necessary to set a singular mowing date that would be ideal for allowing the birds to nest and raise their young during mating season, and on Thursday, Aug. 29, the Holmes County commissioners set in place that date.
In a resolution passed by the commissioners, a time period during the last week of July was set for mowing of the grassland, a time that would give all birds a chance to birth and raise their young.
“The farmers make their hay too early now (for the birds to nest in fields),” commissioner Joe Miller said. “They didn’t use to make their hay in March and April. The grass birds can’t live there. We’ve found out that they can live at the landfill, and bird watchers love that.”
In recreating the landfill into a nature preserve and remaining in Holmes County’s Legacy Point, the idea was to create a natural setting for all animals in the area. The park district and numerous volunteers have worked to create a 1.6-mile natural path through the woods and grassland, and more importantly, it gives birds that raise their young in high grass areas a place to do so.
Miller said the grass was cut too early this year, a mistake they said the county won’t do hereafter.
Miller said the commissioners are responsible for the landfill area for the next 14 years, something that took place when the board closed the landfill 16 years ago and made a 30-year commitment to care for and monitor the land through the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
Miller said the park district would eventually like to create some type of light structure with seating on top of the landfill’s highest peak, noting when the preserve is opened to the public later this year, bird watchers will have a wonderful place to view a variety of birds, which was the purpose behind creating the mowing date.
“It’s a beautiful place and one that people will appreciate,” Miller said.
Once open, Holmes County’s Legacy Point will be open to visitors from dawn to dusk and on special night-time occasions.
A resolution was passed establishing the pay and benefits for nonbargaining unit employees of Holmes County Job & Family Services, with another being passed approving the labor agreement between JFS and AFSCME, Ohio Council 8, Local #2336.
“It accompanies the bargaining unit with the union contract,” said Dan Jackson, Holmes County JFS director. “The resolution is good for three years for the staff.”
Jackson said there will be a 4% change of wages in year one, followed by 3% with a 1 1/2% lump sum change each of the next two years.
“There wasn’t much in the way of change,” Jackson said. “The 1 1/2% lump sum won’t continue on.”
Jackson thanked the commissioners and union for getting the resolution done, noting it was a smooth process.
“We want to be fair,” Miller said. “Employees need to be paid.”
“That’s what we want to do,” Jackson said. “We try to bring people in and be competitive so that at least the environment can be the deciding factor for them. Nowadays it’s not even easy getting people in to interview.”
In other news a resolution was passed acknowledging the filing of a resolution vacating portions of public roadways in Paint Township. A viewing and hearing date was set for Monday, Sept. 30 at 8 a.m. for the viewing with the hearing to follow.
The proposed road closure is of a portion of Township Road 665, north of U.S. Route 62, just outside of Winesburg.
“That has been an ongoing issue for decades, one that has been petitioned by the local landowners who would like it vacated,” commissioner Dave Hall said. “It’s never really been used. On map it’s there, but it’s not really there.”
Finally, the commissioners passed a proclamation honoring Killbuck on its 150th anniversary.
Hall presented the proclamation during the celebration at Early American Days on Sunday, Sept. 1 following the grand parade.