Township hears objection to 'obscene' sign
At its June 24 meeting, Lawrence Township trustees heard from a resident concerned about what he called an “obscene” sign posted at a residence on state Route 212.
The resident, who did not wish to be named out of concern for possible repercussions, informed trustees of the political sign but said his issue with it has nothing to do with politics or the recent election.
“It’s about what kind of message our community is sending,” he said. “We’ve got the new baseball fields going in, and there will be a ton of kids and parents coming in. What can be done about it?”
Trustees Don Ackerman and Matt Ritterbeck said they were unsure as to what, if anything, can be done but said they will consult with county officials about the matter.
Zoning
Matt Ritterbeck reported having had success in reaching the right individual at Dollar General property management to request the property be mowed. According to Ritterbeck, the lot had not been mowed all year, but after his call, it was mowed the next day.
A board of zoning appeals meeting will be held July 12 at 6 p.m. at the township hall. The meeting will be followed by a public hearing at 7 p.m. to address a request to rezone property in Wilkshire Hills from a C-1 to a C-3 classification.
In other matters
Trustees voted in favor of renewing the township’s electric aggregation program with Volunteer Energy Services. President Mike Haueter said under the proposed 24-month contract, residents will be billed at a rate of .04599 cents kilowatt hour, which is lower than the current rate of 0.498 cents per kWh.
“I feel like everything they’ve proposed to us in the past has been helpful and fair, so I don’t see any reason not to approve it,” Haueter said.
Township residents are automatically enrolled in the aggregation program unless they opt out, which they can do at any time, free of charge.
Trustees voted to approve a contract with the Tuscarawas County Board of Elections designating the township building an official polling location.
Trustees also voted to officially change language in the employee handbook to require employees absent for more than three days to obtain a doctor’s release before returning to work.
Don Ackerman extended his thanks to township workers Tom Lundenburger, Wayne Rex, Victor Schott, Cooper Sites, Chuck McNutt and Todd Reynolds for mowing and cleaning up the Lawrence Township River Community Park prior to the Safety Town event hosted by Ohio Billing and the Bolivar Volunteer Fire Department.
Ritterbeck thanked the Bolivar Sportsman’s Club for its $2,000 donation, which allowed the purchase of 20 kids bikes for the raffle during Safety Town.
The next meeting will be July 8 at 7 p.m. at the Charles E. Lundenberger Hall, 10867 Industrial Parkway NW in Bolivar.
