Zoning matters top Lawrence Township Board of Trustees' agenda

 At the Aug. 28 meeting of the Lawrence Township Board of Trustees, Zoning Inspector Ron Weekley brought the board up to date on several zoning matters. According to Weekley, the township attorney has given the resident of a Mabel Drive farm a 30-day extension during which to come into compliance with zoning regulations. 

Several residents who live in the area of the farm have complained to township officials about the overgrown front yard and about animals being in the front and side yards. 

Resident Caleb Sachs, whose father-in-law owns the property, said he is endeavoring to practice regenerative agriculture on the 5-acre homestead where he has several farm animals, including hens, cows and sheep.

Weekley also presented trustees with proposed Section 203.11 “Utilities within Wilkshire Hills Area,” which, once approved, will be added to the zoning regulations book. The new section identifies which plats are within Wilkshire Hills and re-establishes zoning regulations requiring that all new utility lines be placed underground.

Weekley said he attended a seminar on short term rentals at the Kent State University Tuscarawas Campus Aug. 14. The event, which featured speaker Rose Tipka, was sponsored by the Tuscarawas County Real Estate Investors Association and the Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Roads report

Road Supervisor Perry Myers briefed trustees on the status of several projects. Myers said street sweeping after chip and seal work should take place mid-September. Additionally, Myers said Ridge Road will be closed until approximately Sept. 12 for work by Marathon. 

Myers provided a follow-up on report on road work, saying the French drain has been installed Lawnridge Drive and the Bimeler Street drainage issue has been fixed.

Myers advised trustees that Cargill provided the winning bid for the Ohio Department of Transportation salt contract coming in a $61.58 per ton. Trustees approved purchasing salt through the contract at a cost not to exceed $38,000.

Other matters

Chairman Mike Haueter said he spoke with Sparks of Giving representatives and Trustee Matt Ritterbeck spoke with Sheriff Orvis Campbell about providing an additional sheriff to be stationed at Wilkshire Boulevard for traffic control during the event Sept. 13. 

Fiscal Officer Ann Ackerman told trustees that she is expecting to receive a tax check from the county auditor soon that will allow her to make funds distributions to the Bolivar Fire Department and the TIF fund for the Massarelli Baseball Complex.