At the last meeting of 2023, Springfield Township bid farewell to one of the trustees.
On December 26, Trustee Bob Bethel submitted his resignation, effective January 1. The trustee is leaving after accepting an administrator position at the Village of Holland.
In a letter to fellow trustees Tom Anderson Jr. and Andy Glenn, Mr. Bethel noted that resigning was “not something that I really expected to do, but as we all know, changes happen.
“It has been an absolute pleasure serving the Springfield Township community and working with the staff, administration and other elected officials,” he wrote. “I want to thank the residents of the township for trusting me to represent them for the last 22 years.”
His fellow trustees presented a proclamation, commending the trustee on his service.
They noted accomplishments made during Mr. Bethel’s tenure, including the Dorr Street interchange, Dorr Street joint economic development district, joint economic development zone, TARTA expansion, creation of the Freedom celebration and the 2020 land use plan.
They also noted Mr. Bethel was influential to the development of the fire and public services departments, and the administration team.
Mr. Glenn recalled running against the trustee 22 years ago, only to lose by four votes. “And I never let him forget that,” interjected Mr. Bethel.
Mr. Glenn subsequently ran two years later and has been on the board since then. “I truly consider you a close friend. You have done amazing things as trustee. I have thoroughly enjoyed our time on this board. You will be greatly missed.”
Mr. Anderson agreed, “It has been a great privilege serving with you.”
Added Administrator Mike Hampton, “You have supported things we brought to this board. You will definitely be missed.”
Fire Dept. Report
The trustees approved a number of purchases requested by the fire department.
Deputy Chief Dave Moore requested the approval on four items. They are:
•emergency repair of an oil leak on Engine 56 at a cost of $8,713.
•a contract with Dr. Todd Brookens LLC “Fire Medic 1 Solutions” to serve as medical oversight director for $12,000 annually.
•the purchase of five power stair chairs for $82,119. A bureau of workers compensation grant for $40,000 will be used to cover some of the cost.
•a contract with the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association to begin the process of developing a strategic plan for the department at a cost of $15,440.
Deputy Chief Moore also presented the department statistics for November.
There were 355 calls for service last month in the areas served by the township, which, in addition to Springfield, includes the Village of Holland and Harding, Spencer and Swanton townships.
Of those, 250 were in Springfield Township, followed by Holland, 46; Spencer, 18; Swanton, 15, and Harding, five.
The department also provided mutual aid to Maumee, five: Monclova Township, Sylvania and Toledo, one apiece, Sylvania Township, 13.
In November, 21 inspections were performed, including 13 annual; three state; fire alarm and final/remodel, two each, and re-inspection, one.
Six site plans were approved for Sir Blairee Cafe, 1715 Roycroft Road, new business; Game One, 11500 Tailwinds Drive, fire alarm; Clarios, 10300 Industrial Drive, new addition; Raising Cane’s, 6550 Airport Highway, new construction; Dynamic Dies, 1705 Commerce Drive, fire alarm, and Designetics Inc., 1624 South Eber Road, fire alarm.
One fire investigation was conducted in November for a structure fire at 708 North Centennial Road. The fire, which began in a living room, was ruled accidental, and damage was estimated at $175,000.
Other Business
In other business, the trustees:
•Recognized Lucas County deputies Joe Navarre and Nick Danielski for their work in the township on drug trafficking .
Mr. Navarre said the two men worked hand in hand focusing more recently on a drug trafficking dwelling at 6622 Hill Avenue.
The home had been on their radar due to the high number of overdoses, retail theft and other occurrences.
They eventually were able to arrest a high level trafficker on federal charges and he is now serving time in federal prison, Mr. Navarre said.
“We shut the house down and for the past six months there has been no criminal activity,” he added.
•Announced that the 2023 leaf collection was complete. Public service personnel worked on collection for more than eight weeks, gathering 4,308 tons.
•Reviewed the sheriff’s report for November. Deputies were called from the township on seven occasions. They were pulled to respond to a person down, menacing calls, pursuit, injury accidents and a suicidal male.
•Paid bills from December 12 to 26 totaling $39,679. They also paid electronic bills from December 8 to 21 of $509,852, which includes the biweekly payroll of $261,548 and Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation, $138,624.
The next trustees meeting will be at 5 p.m., Monday, January 8, at the township meeting hall, 7617 Angola Road, and is open to the public.
