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COLUMBIANA – Fairfield Township Trustees want more time to study a contract with Hilcorp Energy regarding a one-quarter acre of Bunker Hill Cemetery that would be included in the production property off the Nolker well being drilled.
Ben Mehl of Western Land Services said presented a one-year contract with a $500 signing bonus with a 15 percent royalty provision from the gross proceeds.
Trustees discussed the issue at previous meetings but the small amount of money and the fact Hilcorp could place the property into a production royalty unit anyway pre-empted formal action.
Mehl said the contract “won’t affect surface usage of any type” including cutting down trees and “it protects the surface and the landowners.”
Mehl was hopeful trustees would take action during the meeting but Trustee Chairman Bob Hum said, “The board has a rule … we read it first.” Hum said, “We’re not going to vote on it tonight” and suggested the board may take action during it next regular meeting on April 16.
In response to a query if there was other acreage Hilcorp would be interested in, Mehl said it was only leasing and amending upcoming deals.
In other business, trustees approved requesting a certificate of the estimated tax revenue for a 1.6 mill road renewal levy that will appear on the November ballot.
No action was taken on a county plan to amend the final 911 plan. Hum asked about requesting that Commissioner Tim Weigle attend the trustees April 16 meeting.
“I’d like to read it and have him attend the next meeting,” he said.
Also in other business, trustees opened two bids for lawn service. Hayes Lawn Care and Hephner Lawn Care service submitted bids with Hephner’s $575 per cut the lowest. Hayes’ bid was $765.
Bids were also opened for road maintenance materials received from six companies and trustees are expected to approve them all as they have in the past.
Road Supervisor Mel Miller said the department has swept roads, using the rotary ditcher, and patched roads as necessary along with making the monthly sign inspection.