Vandalism at a Springfield Township park and continuing issues with two hotels were addressed by the trustees at the May 22 meeting.
Andy Hohlbein, director of public services, said Bear Creek was vandalized recently by someone who drove through the park in a vehicle, making deep ruts in the field.
“They tore it up pretty good,” Mr. Hohlbein said, noting that the department has repaired the damage.
He added, “I filed a police report.”
Administrator Mike Hampton also updated the trustees on issues the township is having at Quality Inn and Econolodge.
“Quality Inn is under new management,” he said and understands the requirements to remain open for business.
Mr. Hampton said they are required to keep the hotel clean and must present upon request, copies of receipts showing that none of the guests are living there for extended periods, as had happened under previous management.
“So far, everything seems okay,” he added.
Regarding Econolodge, Mr. Hampton pointed out that management there appears to be picking up tenants from those evicted at Quality Inn, perpetuating the problem.
The administrator said management has been advised that the hotel cannot be used as a long-term rental property as the zoning resolution only permits short-term stays.
Econolodge authorities have been notified that they must abide by the zoning resolution or risk being shut down.
Other Business In other business, the trustees:
•Authorized National Industrial Maintenance to perform crack sealing on township roads this summer at a cost not to exceed $30,000.
In other street work, the public services director said the department repaired a collapsed pipe at 845 South Mc-Cord Road. “It was a 10-foot section.”
•Discussed efforts to get the county 911 system funded by the state. The current setup is cost prohibitive for several county jurisdictions.
“We’re still talking, and they’re still listening,” said Trustee Andy Glenn.
•Learned from Mr. Hohlbein that Nature’s Nursery donated several evergreen trees to the township cemetery.
“That was nice of them,” Trustee Bob Bethel said.
•Heard from Mr. Hampton that there have been some setbacks associated with the design of the new public service safety building.
He noted they selected a new firm for the job and that company “is about 80 percent done with the design.”
Mr. Glenn said he would like to get moving on the project.
“We would like to set a target date of January 1 for the bid process,” Mr. Hampton replied, noting that the plans would need approval by the zoning commission and Toledo Lucas County plan commission.
•Discussed options for the township-owned land behind Sawmill Run. Mr. Hampton explained that since it is platted as a public park, the land can’t be conveyed to the property owners with a clean title.
He said the current plan is to convert the land to open space and convey the title to the county land bank, which can pass it to a conservancy group..
•Announced that Tetra Tech received the 2022 project of the year award for the Dorr Street interchange.
•Considered the installation of electronic messaging signs at the administration building and Community Homecoming Park on Angola Road.
Mr. Glenn expressed reluctance to invest in two signs within close proximity to one another.
Mr. Bethel agreed, “I hesitate to have two signs that close.”
•Agreed not to request a hearing for liquor permits at Sheetz, Dorr Street and Springfield Crossing, and Toledo 76, 7503 Airport Highway.
•Heard from Mr. Hohlbein that in May, at the township cemetery, there were nine burials, four graves sold and eight new foundations dug.
•Approved the payment of bills from May 2 to 22 totaling $70,102, and electronic payments of $381,505 from April 28 to May 18. It includes the biweekly payroll of $255,705.
•Approved a six month evaluation for employee John Thomas and adjusted his pay to $22.50 per hour.
The next trustees meeting will be at 5 p.m., Monday, June 26, at the township meeting hall, 7617 Angola Road, and is open to the public. It also can be viewed livestream on the township’s website at springfieldtownship.net.
