Basketball courts in park getting new surfaces

The outdoor basketball courts at the Lawrence Township River Community Park are receiving new surfaces, thanks to a grant from the Reeve’s Foundation. Lawrence Township trustee Matt Ritterbeck announced the schedule at the Sept. 14 meeting of the Lawrence Township Board of Trustees, saying the courts will be open Sept. 25, barring weather delays.

According to Ritterbeck, the work is being done by VASCO Asphalt and includes sealing asphalt cracks, laying a fiberglass grid overlay, adding acrylic sealing and topping with new paint. Ritterbeck also said the 12-year-old courts were designed by Quicksall and built with the grant money from the Countywide Community Benefit Fund, which resulted from EPA fines imposed on the landfill 16 years ago.

Lighting options discussed

Trustees again discussed lighting at the intersection of state Route 212 and North Orchard Road. Ron Weekley, township zoning inspector, said he received information about a safety grant available from the Ohio Department of Transportation, which he will investigate.

Weekley said he inquired about changing the two yellow (caution) signs to flashing yellow signs and replacing the stop signs at the end of North Orchard and Wilkshire Boulevard to flashing stop signs. He said Hoffman told him the cost for the signs could be about $14,000 and completing the project could take up to two years.

Trustee Mike Haueter said he was not sure the signs would solve the problem because the issue brought up by residents had to do with lighting the intersection because it is hard to see the turn at night.

Trustee Matt Ritterbeck and chairman Don Ackerman agreed. Haueter said Martina Mann, administrative assistant, was looking into the cost of having AEP put up a light pole, which may turn out to be cost-prohibitive but would address the darkness issue.

Road Supervisor Chuck McNutt said he had gotten costs to add lighting to the Welcome to Wilkshire Hills sign and flag pole in front of the Sleep Inn, which is at the intersection in question. He wondered if that would provide enough light.

Trustees agreed to table the matter until more information could be gathered. McNutt said the cost for the lighting was estimated at $1,297 without labor. He was asked to get a quote on the labor.

Roads report

McNutt said the paving of Wilkshire Boulevard has been delayed by the contractor but should take place in October.

McNutt also gave the board his six-month notice that he intends to retire, effective March 31, 2024.

In other business

Fiscal officer Ann Ackerman had previously reported the Ohio Auditor of State will no longer conduct the audits for the township for at least the next 10 years. In a move toward privatization, the auditor’s office has awarded the contract to Perry and Associates, according to Ann Ackerman. The cost is estimated to be approximately $6,000 per year for the audits, which she said is in line with what they’ve been paying the state. Trustees approved the contract.

Trustees also approved spending $250 for a one-year subscription allowing unlimited access to the Ohio Township Association’s current and archived training webinars. Ann Ackerman said it would save money over buying the webinars individually.

Also approved was language amending the written Fort Laurens Cemetery regulations to add the inclusion of two cremated remains per grave or one casket and one cremation per grave. The practice had already been occurring, according to trustees. The measure simply puts the policy in writing.

The Lawrence Township Board of Trustees meets the second and last Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Charles E. Lundenberger Hall, 10867 Industrial Parkway NW, Bolivar.