The Windham Township Board of Trustees’ meeting last Thursday at Windham Town Hall was dominated by a list of key road issues, including fixing the broken guard rail at the turnpike entrance on Bryant Road.
Trustee and Road Contact Brian Miller informed the board that he had spoken with the Portage County Engineer about fixing the guard rail and was told that it was the responsibility of the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission to have the rail repaired. Miller said that he spoke with the Williamson Company, a contracting company that works in the area of the turnpike, about having the guard rail repaired and was told that the company would confer with its engineer. The board agreed that it would remain diligent on keeping track of this issue.
Miller told the board that that he was also speaking with landowners about the issues of trees on their property lying in the right of way. He added that the Township Road workers were still installing the new road signs that the Township had received courtesy of a grant.
He also provided an update to the board about some new projects on the horizon, including having the road workers install a new culvert on Gotham Road and that Hard Labor Paving, a paving contractor company from Geauga County, would be performing a crack seal on Bryant Road. Miller cautioned all drivers to be mindful of the road workers.
He said that the road workers were planning on another roadside cutting on all of the township roads.
Vice Chairman and Cemetery Contact Rich Gano said that the cemetery still was in fine condition and that it had nine new plots that were ready to be poured.
The board reported that there had been no new permits issued by Zoning Inspector Jake Sweet in the last month.
Chairman and Fire Contact Dan Burns provided the board with an update on the Fire Department’s ongoing need for a new ambulance. He advised that the Ravenna Fire Department has a 2015 ambulance with 85,000 miles on it that they were willing to sell to the Windham Fire Department.
Gano asked Burns about a 2015 pumper tanker that the Fire Department was selling, as he had seen the quote and compared it to prices that were listed on government deals, which were lower. Burns said that the Fire Department would lower the price and relist the pumper.
Gano also inquired about the Fire Department’s digital sign not being functional, and Burns replied that that he would look into the matter of having it repaired.
The Board discussed the price of an impending indigent burial that the cemetery would have to perform, which would cost the Township up to $1,500.
Resident Jesse Wirick asked the Board if the Township could mow Windham Parkman Road by Geneva Drive because of a ditch that was so overgrown that he could not even see it as he was driving. The Board informed Wirick that this was more of a Portage County matter as the road belonged to the county but would inquire to see if there were any options.
The board discussed an impending renovation to the gazebo outside the building, as the Windham Historical Society was donating a clock to be placed on the Township green by the Gazebo. They agreed that it would be a joint effort between them and the Windham Historical Society.
The board provided an update on the brush on Wolfe Road which had been used as a hiding spot for police officers to track speeding violations, but the brush has since been removed.
The board will reconvene for its next meeting on Nov. 6 at Windham Town Hall at 6 p.m.
