Lawrence Township trustees hear golf cart complaints

Two days after the Village of Bolivar voted to allow golf carts on its streets, Lawrence Township trustees addressed multiple complaints at its Sept. 10 meeting regarding people driving golf carts on township roads.

Township sheriff deputy Heath Manbeck said he has spoken to the people he has caught and told them the vehicles are not permitted on township roads. Trustee Ron Weekley said he also has spoken with a couple of golf-cart owners whose teenagers are taking the carts out onto the roads.

“It’s slightly challenging since it seems more than half the township residents own the carts,” Manbeck said, adding he also recently issued a warning to a 14-year-old driving a four-wheeler on the road with two teenage passengers aboard.

Trustee Matt Ritterbeck said unlike Bolivar, the township has no governing authority to inspect the vehicles or regulate their use.

“I don’t think we want to go the same route because I think it would make matters worse,” Ritterbeck said.

Bolivar Fire Chief Shawn Lynch reported on an oil spill near the top of Kerns Drive, saying it was accidental and cleaned up immediately. A truck’s hydraulic tank ruptured and dumped several gallons of oil on the road.

Lynch also said the cause of an Aug. 9 house fire on Strasburg-Bolivar Road is still unknown. A special fire investigator has been brought in to help determine the cause.

In other news Lynch said the fire department board is meeting to consider negotiations for a fire contract with Zoar Village. After negotiations broke down between Zoar council and the Zoar Volunteer Fire Department, Zoar currently has no contract. Lynch said trustees do not need to be concerned because Bolivar will respond to any call coming in from Zoar. “No one is going to go without service in Lawrence Township,” Lynch said.

Ritterbeck reported on several matters. He said the boat ramp project for the Lawrence Township River Community Park has been delayed until 2021. He also said the storm-water drainage issue will be addressed.

Ritterbeck said a number of businesses are interested in adopting a portion of the River Community Park trail for litter clean-up as people are leaving litter along the river. He also contacted litter deputy Chris Anderson and Sheriff Orvis Campbell to see if the department can supply crews for a few hours a month to the project, perhaps combining it with clean-up at Fort Laurens, McDonald trailhead and other locations.

Trustee Mike Haueter addressed the ADA compliance issues uncovered in a recent inspection by the Tuscarawas County Board of Elections. Haueter said he spoke with the township’s attorney about the requirements. Some changes have already been made, but the most expensive change to the incline of the parking lot ramp has not.

“I’m all for making everything accessible, but it’s not going to happen overnight,” Haueter said, citing the significant cost involved in bringing in an architectural firm.

COVID funds discussed

Administrative assistant Ann Ackerman said the township has been given an additional $29,000 in funding from the CARES Act to be used for expenses related to COVID-19. The township had already received $58,645.25.

Discussion took place as how to best use the money. Given the new ODOT regulation of allowing only one person per vehicle, trustees agreed to ask their attorney if purchasing another truck with the funds would be allowable.

Report on new development

Terry Durbin attended the meeting to report on progress in the housing development on North Orchard. He said plans have been approved for the water and sewer system, and a contractor has been selected. He hopes to have the system completed by the end of October. Durbin said two people have verbally committed to build in spring 2021.

Additionally, Durbin informed trustees he has purchased about 2 acres of land on Glenpark and is considering building condominium units there.

Legislation

Trustees voted to pass two resolutions. Resolution 19-20 amended appropriations to move $3,472 from the general fund to roads. Resolution 20-20 amended appropriations to move $6,000 to the fire department fund.

Reminder: all meetings are open to the public

After reading several complaints on the Best of Bolivar page on Facebook, Ritterbeck suggested township residents attend the meetings held on the second and last Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. Ritterbeck said residents on Welton Road were complaining about getting tar on their vehicles after cracks in the road were patched and wondering why the road never gets paved properly.

Ritterbeck referred to a pending lawsuit with Kinder-Morgan that has been reassigned to federal court and that prevents the township from paving the road until it is resolved. He also mentioned a township levy that was voted down by residents.

“Every request requires a source of income,” Ritterbeck said. “People want things, but they don’t want their taxes to go up.”

The next meeting will be Thursday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. at Charles E. Lundenberger Hall, 10867 Industrial Parkway NW, Bolivar.