Township zoning inspector addresses resident concerns

Lawrence Township zoning inspector Ron Weekley said he will address several issues raised recently by residents, primarily in the Hess Mill Road area of Wilkshire Hills. At the July 28 meeting of the township’s board of trustees, Weekley reported receiving several complaints of people parking campers and old cars in their driveways.

Weekley said he mailed letters to the residents in question and received an inquiry from one of the recipients regarding whether the township could legally zone such matters. Weekley said he consulted with legal experts including the county prosecutor’s office, who told him the township has the right to regulate where and how people park vehicles.

“You can park a camper on your driveway for no more than three days in a 10-day period to do maintenance, cleaning or anything like that,” he said. “If you want it there for a longer period, you can apply for a 30-day permit.”

Weekley also said he will contact the mortgage company regarding a car parked in a driveway bearing tags expired in 2004. The original owners of the house at 9874 Hess Mill Road have both passed away.

Fire Chief Shawn Lynch said a complaint also was lodged with the Bolivar Fire Department about a fence being erected too close to a fire hydrant at the corner of state Route 212 and Hess Mill Road. Lynch said he looked at the placement and did not see a problem.

“The rule of thumb is that we ask people to keep a 3-foot-clear distance around a fire hydrant if it’s in their yard, whether you’re putting in a fence, ornamental shrubs or anything else,” Lynch said.” A fire hydrant is a community asset for not only you, but also for your neighbors.

A searchable PDF of the township’s zoning regulations is accessible online at www.lawrencetownship.org.

New rendering of sign shown

A new rendering of the Wilkshire Hills sign being replaced by the township was shown. Resident Roy Wilson said, in his opinion, it would be a “grave mistake” to change the sign to say Welcome to Lawrence Township.

The proposed new sign, which will be voted on at the Aug. 11 trustees meeting, has been revised to read Welcome to Wilkshire Hills, with Lawrence Township underneath in smaller type.

Tentative scrap tire recycling scheduled

Ritterbeck report a tentative date of Sept. 10 for a scrap tire recycling event at the township hall. Hosted by the Tuscarawas County Health Department, residents of Northern Tuscarawas County may bring scrap tires in from 9 a.m. to noon or until the three hoppers provided by Gales Recycle It are full.

In other matters

Ritterbeck said he met with an architectural engineer to discuss adding on to the township building. The estimated cost would be around $400,000, which Ritterbeck proposed be paid with American Rescue Plan funds. Fiscal officer Ann Ackerman said the township has received an additional $485,755 and asked trustees to meet and agree on how to spend it.

Lynch said the new fire truck currently is being equipped in Richfield, but he still expects it to be put into service toward the end of August. He said a three-day training session with the manufacturer in Wisconsin is coming up, which will be followed by in-house drivers training.

Many thanks

Ritterbeck complimented people using the Lawrence Township Community River Park and Walkway for keeping it clean. Trustee Don Ackerman encouraged anyone using the trails or the waterways to pick up after themselves and even pick up one more piece than what they leave.

Ritterbeck also thanked Kyle and Samantha Quillen for creating the Sparks of Giving event and the Ohio History Connection, Zoar Community Association and the Friends of Fort Laurens Foundation for their commitment to rebuild all or part of the fort.

The next meeting will be Thursday, Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. at Charles E. Lundenberger Hall, 10867 Industrial Parkway NW in Bolivar.