Commons Pool seeking volunteers for board positions

On Monday, Jan. 31, township trustees heard the Lawrence Township Joint Recreation District is seeking volunteers to serve on its board of directors. The board opens, closes and manages all aspects of the Commons Pool including its tax levy dollars. Those interested in a board position should call Matt Ritterbeck at 330-440-1835.

The trustees meeting was moved to Monday to allow two trustees and the fiscal officer to attend the Ohio Township Association Winter Conference in Columbus Jan. 26-28.

Chairman Ritterbeck said he spoke to Marissa Myers, legislative liaison for the Broadband Ohio program, about how to tap into funding for extending broadband internet service in the township. Ritterbeck said one area of concern is Ridge Road, where residents either cannot get broadband service or have substandard service.

Trustees voted to do the following:

—Deliver donated sand to baseball and softball fields throughout the township used by the Tusky Valley Youth Baseball-Softball Association.

—Allocate the $500 MORE grant toward road crew gear.

—Approve a liquor license request by Base Properties LLC, doing business as Massarelli Baseball Complex, for the onsite restaurant.

—Increase winter pay for part-time seasonal employees to $18 per hour, due to the work being more difficult and the fact the employees are on call 24/7 for snow plowing, removing downed trees and other hazardous winter situations.

Public comments

Bolivar Fire Chief Shawn Lynch commended Chuck McNutt, Todd Reynolds and others who cleared the roads during recent winter snowfall. “During the last two storms, we had zero accidents on the roads,” said Lynch, who also said if the roads had not been cleared as well as they were, EMS would not have been able to get to several locations where emergency services were needed.

In other matters

Ron Weekley, zoning inspector, said a public hearing will be scheduled for the board of zoning appeals to consider either a conditional permit or a zoning variance for Camping Adventure Rentals, a company wanting to locate a business on 4 acres along Fort Laurens Road.

The date for the hearing is still to be determined but will be publicized.

Administrative assistant Martina Mann said trustees will hear by Feb. 28 from the Ohio Department of Transportation regarding its application for funding to repair Welton Road. Ritterbeck said he learned at the OTA conference that a large number of townships have applied and money will be granted to two townships in each county.

Fiscal officer Ann Ackerman said the Lawrence Township Community Improvement Commission’s nonprofit status has been renewed.

Ritterbeck asked Mann to inquire about using ARPA funds for capital improvements such as a new storage building for the township’s equipment, as space is running out.

Trustees discussed the need to purchase a new lawn mower and sell at least one of the used mowers before the summer. Road supervisor Chuck McNutt will obtain costs for trustees to consider.

The next meeting will be Thursday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. at Charles E. Lundenberger Hall, 10867 Industrial Parkway NW, Bolivar.