A number of Sawmill Run subdivision landowners appear to be inadvertently squatting on acreage owned by Springfield Township.
At the May 16 meeting, administrator Mike Hampton said he received information from someone in the subdivision regarding 19 parcels on Sawmill Run Road that are maintaining and using township acreage in the floodway along Cairl Creek. [see photo.]
“Folks are fencing in our property as their own,” he said, adding it has been going on for a number of years, prior to the land being turned over to the township.
While residents are maintaining the acreage, liability is an issue, Mr. Hampton explained, adding he met with township attorney Gary Sommers to discuss the matter.
Mr. Hampton said the men came up with three options:
•Send letters to each homeowner telling them to abandon the township’s acreage and move any fencing or structures back to their property line;
•Do nothing, but expose the township to liability should an incident occur, or
•Present each landowner the opportunity to license the land for their usage.
Mr. Sommers said the best legal option would be to “chase off” the homeowners, but he admitted that would likely create harsh feelings.
He believes offering each one the opportunity to lease the property through a licensing agreement may be the best option. Terms of the license would hold the township harmless from liability, he added.
Trustee Bob Bethel questioned whether the trustees should just give each one the land. Mr. Sommers pointed out some neighbors may not want the land because of maintenance issues or the resulting increase in their property valuations. And doing so could leave the township with an inability to access parcels that are not claimed. “It would be like a patchwork quilt.”
“The best course of action to take is licensing,” Mr. Hampton recommended.
It would be an exclusive right-of-use document that is recorded and transferrable, Mr. Sommers said, emphasizing licensing would shift liability to the landowner. Plus, he added, “It will give people a choice.”
Mr. Sommers said he and Mr. Hampton brought the issue to the trustees to gauge their opinion before engaging in conversations with the landowners.
Because the trustees face a liability issue, the township administrator believes “we have an obligation to act.”
The trustees noted the acreage is in the floodway easement, creating an issue for landowners who constructed fencing or other permanent structures as that is prohibited.
Mr. Sommers acknowledged those items would have to be removed. “That will be an unhappy conversation. Someone is going to be disappointed,” he said.
Mr. Hampton offered to contact the flood plain engineer to get his input and report those findings to the trustees at an upcoming meeting.
Other Business
In other business, the trustees:
•Reviewed the monthly report from the Lucas County sheriff’s office. Lieutenant John Leach congratulated the trustees on successful passage of the police levy, “and a big thank you to the citizens for their overwhelming support.”
He noted that meetings will be held in the near future to discuss organization of the police force and is looking forward to making the community a safer place to live.
“Let’s be that beacon working together for the betterment of everyone,” he added.
•Urged motorists to slow down when driving. Lt. Leach said that with warmer weather more people are on the roads and “we need them to slow down.” He pointed out deputies are seeing an increase in the number of crashes as a result of inattention to the road.
“Please give yourself enough space between you and the car in front of you,” he said.
•Authorized public services director Andy Hohlbein to send a leaf machine for reconditioning at a cost of $33,302. To purchase a new machine would cost $70,000, Mr. Hohlbein said.
•Approved the expenditure of up to $30,000 for the 2022 road crack sealing program.
•Heard from Mr. Hohlbein that the township recently received its second shipment of 600 tons of rock salt ordered for the 2021-22 season. The township will be well prepared for next winter, he said, adding, “We’ve got plenty.”
•Learned that Miller Brothers was awarded the bid for the King and Angola roads roundabout project. Mr. Hampton said the intersection will be closed for 60 to 95 days, adding the township will be notified when work is slated to begin.
•Endorsed township Fire Chief Barry Cousino and Sylvania Township Fire Chief Mike Ramm as alternates to serve as the Lucas County Township Association representatives on the OneOhio Recovery Foundation region 4 board.
OneOhio was established to give local governments a direct role in directing opioid funds to implement strategies for community recovery from the opioid crisis.
•Approved the payment of bills from May 3 to 16 totaling $102,744, including $47,775 to Howell Rescue Systems, hydraulic tools for the fire department, and $28,004 to Virtual Design Studios for services related to the public services building.
They also approved electronic payments made between April 29 and May 12 of $346,689, which includes the biweekly payroll of $244,493.
The next trustees meeting will be at 5 p.m., Monday, June 6, at the township meeting hall, 7617 Angola Road, and is open to the public. The meeting also may be viewed on live stream at the township’s website, springfieldtown ship.net.
