Residents lodge complaints against cell tower placement
Three Lawrence Township residents attended the board of trustees meeting on Aug. 8 to voice their opposition to the placement of a new 5G cell tower on land near the Bolivar Sportsman’s Club on Strasburg Bolivar Road NW.
Roxanne Timberlake, Max Vanorman and Marc Hostetler voiced health concerns about radiation from the tower, which they believe is being erected too close to their homes. Ron Weekley, township zoning inspector, said the setbacks required by township zoning regulations have been met.
“However, according to the Ohio Revised Code, they have the right to file a formal complaint,” Weekley said, adding the ORC requires towers be built no closer than within 100 feet of any residence. “I think the closest property line is 237 feet away, and then it’s probably another 200 feet to the house.”
Weekley said the next step is for the residents to each file a written complaint to the township trustees. Fiscal officer Ann Ackerman will send a letter to the SmartLink Group, the company planning to place the cell tower, acknowledging the complaint brought to the meeting.
In other zoning matters, Weekley updated trustees on a utility pole erected above ground near the new Dollar General store being built along state Route 212. He said after looking into it further, the power pole, which is owned by AEP, is indeed located on an easement where township zoning regulations require utilities to be buried underground.
Weekley also informed trustees that township attorney Terry Seeberger will request AEP remove the pole. Seeberger also will review a resolution Weekley drafted that would require underground utilities in specific township locations.
In other matters
Timberlake asked the township to trim branches on a tree she said is obstructing visibility on Strasburg Bolivar Road at the entrance to Hunters Green. Trustees said it is a county road, so it is the county’s responsibility. However, because the limbs present a safety issue, they will trim it this time.
Bolivar Fire Chief Shawn Lynch told trustees he had contacted the Ohio EPA regarding the smoldering mulch pile on French Hills Road. According to Lynch, the EPA said while the pile is a nuisance, it does not present a health hazard.
Lynch also said he was informed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources that they do not have a safe way to get into the area to drill holes into the mulch and then fill them with water. The fire department will monitor the situation.
Trustee Don Ackerman confirmed the sale of the township’s Ford F550 truck to the Tuscarawas County Engineer’s Office for $19,500, the price approved by trustees at the July 11 meeting.
Ackerman also said he asked county engineer Doug Bachman to send a letter to the Ohio Department of Transportation asking them to do something about the bump on state Route 212 near Kerns Drive. Residents continue to send letters to the township about the lack of visibility caused by the hill.
Trustee Matt Ritterbeck congratulated Jason Ely on being hired as fire chief of the Strasburg Fire Department. Village council approved the hiring at its Aug. 6 meeting, declaring a start date of Aug. 20. Ely had been serving as a lieutenant in the Bolivar Fire Department.
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. All meetings are open to the public.
