STEUBENVILLE — Jefferson County Assistant Prosecutor Frank Bruzzese presented the county commissioners on Thursday with a process township and village officials could use to address the issue of junk cars throughout the county.

Commissioners last week said there is a myriad of laws about junk vehicles and asked the prosecutor’s office for an opinion.

Bruzzese said various law enforcement agencies and township and village leaders all have separate powers and procedures under state law for dealing with junk cars.

Bruzzese took all those laws and compiled them into a process that can be used by any law enforcement or township of village government.

He said the first step is to put the land owner on notice and give them a chance to appear before the township trustees or village council to dispute the notice. The next step is to get an order for the junk car to be removed or concealed from view. Bruzzese said if it still isn’t removed or covered from view, then there can be a court enforcement procedure. He said if the person ignores the court order, then an injunction can be filed in common pleas court.

Bruzzese said law enforcement, health department and villages, townships and cities need to be educated on how to use the steps of the procedure.

County Commissioner Thomas Graham said there now is a process for dealing with junk cars.

“It is a laid-out process and that is what was needed,” Graham said.

Bruzzese said the process gives the property owner due process.

County Commissioner David Maple said the commissioners can only recommend a process because the commissioners don’t have enforcement powers. He recommended the regional planning commission be used to educate local governments on the process.

“The goal is not to be punitive. The goal is to put (the junk cars) in a garage and out of the neighbor’s view,” he said.

County Commissioner Tom Gentile said land owners need to be held accountable for junk on their property.

In other matters, commissioners signed paperwork to apply for a $500,000 grant to help the Brilliant Water and Sewer District in building a new $3 million water treatment plant.

Commissioners were informed by county Engineer James Branagan of his intent to participate in a statewide purchasing cooperative, which will result in lower prices for vehicles and equipment. Branagan informed the commissioners the department plan to purchase $578,000 in vehicles and equipment this year, including a portable salt brine trailer. The salt brine will be used to pretreat road salt during the winter months, he said.

Commissioners signed proclamations recognizing Ohio 4-H Week being celebrated next week and March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

Commissioners signed a Communication Workers of America contract for two employees at the county animal shelter. The three-year agreement calls for a 3 percent pay increase per year.

(Law can be contacted at mlaw@heraldstaronline.com.)