Lawrence Township to replace sign

The Lawrence Township Board of Trustees voted at the June 30 meeting to hire The Country Sign Company of Bolivar to design a new sign to be placed in front of the Sleep Inn. The hotel recently renovated its exterior, and the manager asked for the old sign to be replaced. The new sign will say, "Welcome to Lawrence Township," instead of Wilkshire Hills.

Board chairman Matt Ritterbeck said Country Sign’s bid was the lowest at $8,460. Trustees also received bids from Synergy Signs and Graphics in Strasburg and Heritage Signs in Millersburg, both of which were nearly double the Country Sign bid.

In other business trustees voted to do the following:

—Spend up to $900 to outfit a mower with flex forks and a Qwikchute

—Place a 2-mill, five-year road replacement levy on the fall ballot.

—Move $6,000 out of the road and bridge fund to cover increased costs for natural gas estimated through the end of the year. Ann Ackerman, fiscal officer, said the road fund currently has a small surplus, partly due to a reimbursement coming for some asphalt work.

—Renew a certificate with the public utilities commission allowing township aggregates for gas and electric.

New Ohio fireworks law

In light of new state legislation allowing residents to discharge consumer-grade fireworks on certain holidays, trustee Don Ackerman asked residents to use caution when doing so. “It has been dry and hot, and people need to use them in a safe area where it won't start a fire,” he said. “We also don't need extra ambulance runs or fires to put out.”

Consumer-grade fireworks include firecrackers, bottle rockets, sparklers, ground spinners and other novelty items, according to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Consumers are still not permitted to buy or discharge display-grade fireworks.

Fire Chief Shawn Lynch outlined the new regulations. Fireworks may be set off July 3-5 and Labor Day and Memorial Day weekend. Fireworks also are permitted the weekends immediately preceding and following those holidays. Fireworks are allowed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day with specific hours, as well as Cinco de Mayo and three other holidays.

Some local communities are opting out of the new law, and there are additional restrictions for areas that allow fireworks use. Hours on some holidays are limited. Fireworks may not be discharged within 50 feet of spectators, and persons under the age of 18 are not permitted to handle or discharge fireworks.

Tree planting policy at park

Trustees discussed the need for clarity about the tree planting program at the Lawrence Township River Community Park. Individuals may contact a nursery to plant trees in memory of loved ones at the park. However, the township does not have the resources or equipment to water the trees, so family members are responsible for watering. McNutt said if workers are in the vicinity, they may water them, but the township is not responsible for the life of the tree.

Ritterbeck said he will look into the possibility of using grant funds to invest in watering equipment down the road. In the meantime he also suggested planting trees either in the spring or late fall rather than in the heat of summer.

Road superintendent report

McNutt said the chip and seal contractor hopes to begin work by mid-July. He also reported graffiti on a sign near Hunter’s Green; the theft of several road signs, all of which were immediately replaced; and the removal of 27 downed trees following recent storms.

In other matters

Trustees heard from Lynch regarding the township's new fire truck, which it will share with the villages of Bolivar and Zoar. It should be in operation within four to six weeks.

Martina Mann, administrative assistant, is working with the county health department to try to secure more free insect repellent for township residents as the 50 bottles she had received went quickly.

A township resident said tar is bubbling up on several township roads and damaging vehicles. McNutt said the lack of an asphalt base under the chip and seal and having to use asphalt emulsion rather than “3,000” coal tar have contributed to the problem. He said he would look into potential solutions.

The next meeting will be Thursday, July 14 at 7 p.m. at Charles E. Lundenberger Hall, 10867 Industrial Parkway NW, Bolivar.