At the October 18 meeting, the Springfield Township trustees agreed to petition the Lucas County commissioners to amend a list of watercourses included in the 10-Mile Creek watershed.
The trustees are seeking to amend the joint county ditch petition to include Potter, Peter May, Newton and Chance ditches in the township.
In requesting the amended petition, the trustees noted that the Ohio Revised Code authorizes Lucas County to
“straighten, deepen, remove obstructions from, or widen any ditch, drain, watercourse, or other waterway when necessary for the disposal or removal of surplus water, for controlled drainage of any land, or to prevent overflow of any land in the county.”
They further noted that state law permits the trustees to petition the county to construct any drainage improvements needed.
The trustees are seeking improvements to the watercourses, pointing out that they “will benefit the petitioner and will be conducive to the public welfare.”
Trustee Andy Glenn recommended approval of the petition, pending clarification on how improvements will be paid for–stormwater funds or assessment of property owners.
Trustee Bob Bethel agreed, acknowledging, “It is a bit of a confusing issue.”
Other Business
In other business, the trustees:
•Approved 2021 supplemental permanent appropriations to reflect the additional interest revenue the township received due to the delayed expenditure of CARES Act funding.
“We ended up earning interest of $50,” said fiscal officer Barb Dietze, explaining that amount must be encumbered for expenses by the end of the year.
•Received an update from Andy Hohlbein, public services director, on sidewalk replacement. He said the department is working on replacing sidewalks where trees have caused heaving. To alleviate the problem in the future, they are cutting the roots, which should not damage the trees, he explained.
Mr. Hohlbein said the department also has begun winterizing township parks and continues to assist zoning with parking violations and parcel mowing, most recently at 7342 Bancroft Street.
•Heard from cemetery sexton Mr. Hohlbein that last month they had five burials, sold 15 graves and began work on new foundations. The area will accommodate 68 new graves.
•Authorized township administrator Mike Hampton to prepare and submit an application to the Ohio Public Works Commission for financial assistance in making capital improvements to Nebraska Avenue and roads in the Stone Oak subdivision.
They include Pointe Vedra Drive, Pointe Vedra Court, Quail Hollow Court, Rolling Hill Road, Stone Oak Boulevard, Stone Oak Court, Stone Oak Drive, Orchard Lake Boulevard and Orchard Lake Road.
•Paid bills from October 6 to 19 totaling $136,923 which includes the quarterly payment of $75,000 to the Lucas County sheriff’s office and a revenue sharing payment of $37,066 to Holland.
They also approved electronic payments from October 1 to 15 of $346,834 which includes the biweekly payroll of $245,345, elected officials’ pay of $9,898 and board members’ stipends totaling $440.
The next trustees meeting will be at 5 p.m., Monday, November 15, at the township meeting hall, 7617 Angola Road, and is open to the public.
~Jane Maiolo
