Hiram Police Chief Ed Samec attended the last meeting of the Township Trustees to discuss extending the Police contract. Township Trustees each shared that they had received positive feedback from residents on the Village Police patrols taking place within the Township limits. After some discussion, it was decided to continue the contract through the first quarter of 2015 at the current number of hours. In February 2015, after the Township’s budget has been reassessed, Trustees will determine if funds will be available to fund an increase in police presence through the remainder of the year. Those discussions will take place after both the year-end audit and 2015 budgets have been completed. In addition, Trustee Schulda suggested that if adequate funds are available, Trustees should also consider paying off the remaining portion owed by the Township for the Hiram Fire Department’s new truck.
Next, Dan Brokos reported on behalf of the Community Evaluations & Accomplishments Committee (CEAC) that plans were confirmed for the Open House hikes at the Township’s property on State Route 82 on November 15th & 16th. Mr. Brokos inquired as to whether the Trustees would agree to allow the CEAC to host a Facebook page in order to more quickly and efficiently share information with residents. After some discussion, the Trustees decided not to proceed with this suggestion.
In similar news, it was noted that the Beautification Committee, of which the Township is a part, has been seated, with an organizational meeting to be held on November 25th at 5 pm at the Village’s Rosser Building. Representatives from the Township, Village, and College have been asked to attend. It was noted that Joe Phillips, Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals, had tendered his resignation. Ron Thompson will be asked to finish the remainder of Mr. Phillips term, which is effective through July of 2015. Trustees are in the process of selecting a new candidate to join the Zoning Board of Appeals. In her report, Fiscal Officer Diane Rodhe reported that a title search on the Kosher property was received, showing no liens on the property.
Later, Road Supervisor Tom Matota was asked to follow up with ODOT regarding the removal of a potentially dangerous limb over the roadway on Route 700 in the south end of the Township. In addition, Mr. Matota reported that 500 feet of road was ready for installation at the Township’s new property on State Route 82, which would bring the property drive 600 feet back into the nearly 30 acre plot. Mr. Matota shared that a building permit was needed from the County. Mr. Matota suggested potential changes to the original plans, such as moving from wooden trusses to metal, in order to achieve significant cost savings. In order to receive a permit, the Township must supply four sets of prints signed by a registered architect. Trustees agreed to meet to review the project further with their architect, Mr. Jim Zella from Hiram.
Lastly, Trustee Schulda announced that Dave Auble, from Ohio Health Benefits in Hiram, will be in attendance at the first two meetings in January in order to present new health plan information and answer any questions from Township employees.
The next meeting of the Hiram Township Trustees will be held on Tuesday, December 2nd at 7 pm in the Township Hall. Residents are encouraged to attend.
