By Jane Maiolo
With financial assistance from the Lucas County Land Bank, Springfield Township will remove several dilapidated structures.
At the August 15 meeting, the trustees authorized the removal of buildings at 415 Banquot Way and 101 North Dorcas Road.
Trustee Bob Bethel asked how these two particular parcels were selected.
Administrator Mike Hampton said “North Dorcas has been unsightly for many, many years,” and Banquot, has been vacant in disrepair for a long time.
“They were on our planning director’s radar for some time,” he added.
Mr. Hampton noted that their removal will improve the parcels “and the neighborhood.”
The administrator said buildings on both parcels were inspected by the fire department and declared to be “insecure, unsafe or structurally defective.”
Assistant Fire Chief Dave Moore sent letters to both property owners, notifying them of the condition and recommendation that the buildings be torn down.
Funds to demolish the structures will come from a subrecipient grant the Land Bank received from the Ohio Department of Development.
Sheriff’s Report
Lieutenant John Leach of the Lucas County sheriff’s office provided his monthly report to the trustees.
He said the department investigated recent claims that there was a homeless person living in the field and wooded area behind Jimmy Johns and McDonald’s on Airport Highway.
The lieutenant noted that the department combed the area, but “found no evidence of a homeless encampment. It doesn’t exist.”
Lt. Leach updated the trustees on vehicle thefts, pointing out it is a problem here and throughout the country. Compounding the problem is video circulating on the internet that shows youths how to bypass the ignition of certain vehicles and steal cars. “It’s been an ongoing issue for several months.”
He also issued a reminder to residents to be vigilant as the school year gets under way. “Please slow down and pay attention, and please, please stop for school buses.”
He noted that the speed trailer is operational and can be deployed in any area in which the township trustees believe there is a need.
In other business, the trustees:
•Authorized Mr. Hampton and law director Gary Sommers to continue work on the disposal of township property in the Sawmill subdivision. Because the land is in the floodplain and floodway, it adds no intrinsic value to each property owner, Trustee Andy Glenn said, adding he consulted with the county auditor.
The trustee asked that the sale of the land be done at no cost to the township. Mr. Hampton said fees incurred by the township would be passed on to each property owner, which he believes would add $383.75 to the cost per parcel.
•Reviewed maintenance plans for the center island of the King and Angola roundabout upon its completion. Mr. Hampton said the island will feature stamped concrete, river rock and four trees.
A few flowering plants and daylilies will complete the space. “It’s a simple maintenance plan,” Mr. Hampton said, noting there will be no need to connect the site to a water source.
•Restated a previously approved motion calling for onetime pay increases for township employees to reflect that the American Rescue Plan funds were being used for the increases. Full-time employees will receive $3,000; part time, $1,500 and contingent, $750.
•Reappointed Michael Kott to the joint economic development district board for the remainder of 2022, as well as a four-year term beginning January 2023.
•Recertified the annual streetlighting district assessments for 2023. The new assessments are Carmella Gardens, $8,484; Wynnbrooke plats one, two and three, $2,772; Stone Oak plats three through six, $52,920; Wolf Creek Executive plat one $2,860; Timber Ridge plats three, four and five, $3,871; Spring Dale Parke plats one and two, $480; Wexford plat two, $1,710; the Quarry, plat six, $1,792, and Hidden Village plat one, $3,348.
•Expressed appreciation to Bob Nubert and the Boy Scouts for the clean stream drain stenciling work they performed.
•Paid bills from August 2 to 15 totaling $678,073, including the two-thirds payment of $586,398 to the Lucas County engineer’s office for the Dorr Street interchange project.
They also approved electronic payments from July 29 to August 11 of $368,928 which includes the biweekly payroll of $244,291, and the elected officials payment of $10,162.
Due to the Labor Day holiday, the next trustees meeting will be at 5 p.m., Tuesday, September 6, at the township hall, 7617 Angola Road, and is open to the public. The meeting also can be viewed via livestream at springfieldtownship.net.
Access to the administrative building during construction of a roundabout at King and Angola roads is via Angola east of Albon Road. The roundabout will take approximately 45 days to complete.
