BELLVILLE, Ohio – Mid Ohio Resources, Inc., announced they will be selling their sand and gravel mining business, which opened in 2006. Bellville, which has first right of refusal to buy the property north of the village on State Route 97, gave Mid Ohio the green light to put the property up for sale during the July 7 council meeting.
In 1996, Bellville purchased nearly 20 acres to provide wells for drinking water in the Village. In 2004, Bellville learned that mining was about to commence on land next to where the wells are located. Officials then secured a contract to ensure mining operations maintain a buffer of at least 50 feet from the wells. The contract applies to all future owners of the operation.
Mid Ohio General Manager Bob Lanker explained that the decision Tuesday night means the family-owned business can proceed with efforts to sell the property. He said Mid Ohio had a good working relationship with Bellville and Richland County. “There was good communication over the years,” Lanker said.
Bellville council members deliberated over their last three meetings, considering their options. They want to be sure that potential buyers are aware of the terms of the contract, explained Village Solicitor Jeff Mussman. The main concern involves the semi-annual testing of the wells. Under the contract, Bellville splits the testing costs with the owners of the property. Dust and noise control are also addressed by the contract.
Regular operations for the mining business ceased two years ago. In the interim, Mid Ohio only provided large orders to customers. Last month their processing equipment was sold to US Aggregates in Indianapolis.
According to Lanker, there remains 30-50 years of sand and gravel reserves. Mid Ohio is asking $4 million for the property and its reserves, Lanker said.
Pay Level Change for Bellville Council Members
During Tuesday’s meeting, council members voted to set their own monthly pay at $125. This is higher than a previous proposal made by Vic Swisher, but lower than the $158 council members currently receive.
The reason for the change relates to the Village’s desire to hire a part-time village administrator. The current administrator is paid for only six hours but the council decided last spring to increase the hours paid for the position. To do that the Village needed to come up with more money in their budget.
The contentious decision to come up with more money for an administrator included a cut in the mayor’s salary. Swisher said he believed that it was only fair that the council also take a pay cut and proposed lowering their pay level to $70 per month. Other members suggested the amount was too low and it might be difficult to entice people to run for council. The decision to set the pay at $125 was passed by a 3-2 vote with David Griffon and Swisher voting “no.”
Mayor Darrell Banks reported that the Village has currently received five applications for the new village administrator position. He stated that applications have come from as far away as Alaska and Florida. The mayor said that the applicants look “promising.” The council has been working on job description and pay level for the position.
