County has busy year ahead

by Kelly Olson
Staff Writer

Less than a month into 2001, several Athens County officials are mapping out major projects and improvements to work on for the rest of the year.

One of the most important goals, at least for County Engineer Archie Stanley, is to complete the second step of the Geographic Information System. The GIS system is a five-year long project that will electronically map Athens County, allowing county officials to obtain map data from their computers. Phase one of the project, putting on-screen maps into the 911 office, started last year, Stanley said. He is also the GIS coordinator.

The next step of the GIS project will convert paper maps to an electronic format, which Stanley said he hopes to finish by the end of the year.

"This electronic based mapping system will eventually serve as a base map for the other phases of the GIS project," he said. Other parts of the project are on target to be finished in two years.

The county commissioners, however, will be pouring time and effort into renovations at the courthouse and the Board of Elections building.

"Money is tight this year, but we are going to try to start our renovations this year," said Commissioner Mark Sullivan.

Within three to five years, the courthouse will feature new windows, an improved exterior and new insulation and lining. Next door, the roof on the Board of Elections building will be replaced.

Many county residents are looking forward to the completion of the Buchtel Sewer Project, which includes replacing the unsanitary septic tanks of Buchtel and York Township and building a new sewer system.

The project, which began last week, should be finished by the end of September. The estimated cost is $3,243,000, said Commissioner Bill Thiesen.