PROJECTS DISCUSSED — The Jefferson County Commissioners, from left, Eirc Timmons, Tony Morelli and Jake Kleineke, Thursday were updated about ongoing road projects and improvements to areas of the Tower building. -- Warren Scott

STEUBENVILLE — Ongoing road projects and improvements to areas of the Tower building were among matters addressed by the Jefferson County Commissioners Thursday.

Commissioners opened four bids from four Ohio companies for striping and other markings for county maintained roads.

The apparent bids were: $141,976 from J.D. Striping of Ravenna, $159,362.10 from Oglesby Construction of Norwalk, $132,479.50 from American Roadway Logistics of Norton and $133,445.26 from the Aero-Mark Co. of Aurora.

The bids were referred for review to county Engineer Eric Hilty, who said the work will involve half of about 258 miles of county roads.

Hilty also updated commissioners about road projects slated for next week, including chipping and sealing to be done on county roads in Wells Township.

He said crews will be milling and paving Ross Ridge-Alikanna Road and trimming trees along Bergholz-New Somerset Road.

Hilty said work continues to replace bridges along Knox Township Road 289 and Piney Fork Road.

He said the latter has been delayed by the arrival of a damaged box culvert, a pre-cast concrete segment of the new span, but the contractor is expected to order a new one at no expense to the county.

In other business, commissioners accepted a bid of $11,871 from Donvernon Heating and Cooling of Steubenville, the lowest of two received for an air conditioning unit for the county’s probate court and a bid of $23,624 from the same business, the lowest of three received for an air handler system for the information technology department at the county courthouse.

Patrick Boyles, the county’s maintenance supervisor, said the unit serving the probate court is more than 30 years old and has been dripping, requiring staff to place buckets under it.

Boyles said the IT department’s space on the third floor has been served by an air conditioning system that is due for replacement while its space on the fourth floor has been served only by window units and fans.

“It’s been a battle to keep the temperature down to what it needs to be,” said Boyles, who noted computer servers and related equipment operate best in cool temperatures.

Board President Tony Morelli asked whether the IT department could move to the Tower building, noting it’s been discussed in the past.

Boyles said he’s not heard anything about such plans, but it would involve relocating a lot of equipment.

In related business, Boyles advised the Wheeling Veterans Center, an agency of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, will be renovating its space at the Tower buidling.

He said the agency will be using its own funds for new furnishings, painting and minor fixture upgrades in about 150 square feet it has been using for storage.

Commissioners also heard from Mike Eroshevich, the county’s water supervisor, who said he’s been gathering information that might enable the county to secure grants for water upgrades in the Bergholz and Adena areas.

The commissioners agreed to meet with him at a future work session to discuss the matter.

Commissioners also reappointed Laura Cade of WesBanco to represent the county on the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association’s revolving loan fund committee, with Commissioner Eric Timmons abstaining because he is employed by WesBanco.