By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
The Wood County Health Department is almost ready to embark on the next phase of renovations for the East Gypsy Lane Road facility.
“The renovations are almost at the posting phase,” said Wood County Health Commissioner Ben Robison during the August Board of Health meeting.
The walk-through will start today (Aug. 21) for companies that are considering bidding on the project, allowing them to look at the space and ensure they understand what is needed to effectively develop a bid.
The request for bids will go out on Sept. 13. “By October, we will be able to select a contractor and move fairly quickly,” he said. “We will review the bids and look for the lowest, qualified bidder” before seeking dual approval from the health board and the Wood County Commissioners.
After a discussion with the selected contractor, Robison will share the timeline and schedules with the board. He also will have a more detailed plan for what areas will be involved in the renovation and if any services will be impacted.
Behavioral health visits open to community
Appointments for behavioral health visits at the Wood County Community Health Center are being opened to the community, Renee Groman, behavioral health manager, told the board.
Groman, who joined the health center in January 2024, noticed there were opportunities to accommodate additional patients in the schedule.
“Previously, a patient had to receive primary care or dental care and be established with the health center before receiving behavioral health services,” she said.
Because behavioral health care is a priority need in the county, they opened up the schedule to the community. She is partnering with the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Jobs and Family Services for referrals. A community event about overdose awareness and additional outreach efforts are also planned.
When asked if they are doing outreach in the school, Groman explained that Children’s Resource Center is embedded in the schools, but they are “collaborating with community partners who are already in the space however we can.”
“I commend you for this proactive approach for finding a good way to increase the impact on public health in Wood County, particularly with the specific need which has been identified as one of the more urgent needs in our area,” said board member Bob Midden. “This is exactly what I hoped the health department would be doing across the board.”
Homeowners part of sewage treatment system education and outreach
The health department’s environmental health unit is taking an active role in education and outreach to homeowners with new or replacement sewage treatment systems or permits for alternations.
Madeline Dyer, registered environmental health specialist, reported that all Ohio counties are tasked with implementing the local operation and maintenance program. The initial education or outreach is done when homeowners enter the program, and it is repeated every five years.
When a system fails, it undergoes full replacement or repairs. A failed system could be when leach fields are no longer able to accept sewage effluent or if there are direct discharges either from malfunctioning motors on aeration units or septic tanks with no tertiary treatment.
The timeline depends on the cost to the homeowner.
“We work with people on timelines when this is a major factor,” she said.
In 2016, the health department worked with the Wood County Planning Commission to be part of the lot-split process. And in 2019, they started working with the building department to be part of the process when property owners want to build a deck or addition to their home, she said.
Dyer shared some of the agency’s goals and code alignment, including plans to enhance existing services, pursue additional funding and “seek opportunities to expand programs that support the health of everyone in Wood County.”
During the past two-and-a-half years, the operations and maintenance program has improved efficiencies and increased revenue by approximately $15,000.
“We eventually plan to phase in every pre-2007 aeration unit in the county,” she said.
Budget updates
Forty percent of the Wood County budget from the state’s largest award will go to community organizations, and 25% will go to state and federal initiatives that the county “will provide point on,” Robison said.
Among the items covered in the budget are large UV disinfectant units for Wood County Hospital, Mercy Health, Blanchard Valley and one at the health department to lend out for school outbreaks or other community needs. Floor cleaning and HVAC cleaning equipment for various partners are included along with supplies for the mobile unit “to get it up and running.”
