Trustees reports evolved into discussion about the proposed "park" in the bull pen.
John Festa reported that the dispatch issue for the fire department is still being struggled with.
Jason added that John Festa lives across the road from the house on Chamberlin that burned, and John Festa was apparently the neighbor who helped get one of the residents out of the house, as reported by the Record Courier.
Jason: I think that was honorable.
John Festa: People need to keep their eyes on their neighbors and have smoke detectors.
Bullpen, Jim Aldrich: Jim passed out the latest rendition of the park to date. [Blogger: Apparently they are looking at handicapped parking at the green because the land is more level there.]
Jim: We would like to put the parking area/driveway further west and maybe west of the barn. I am trying to come up with ideas to make better use of the whole property.
We show what we have at the moment for the rocks and trees and wall. We are not showing the driveway on this. We have shown the cross walk area from the east side of Mantua Center Road. We have moved the planting lines so there is a clear field of vision. The area in the southwest corner--that got missed. [Blogger: Since only Jim and the trustees had the drawings in their hands, it was difficult occasionally to grasp what was being discussed.]
The gazebo is 16 feet across on the north side of the flagpole. We are not going to do anything until the garden club's concerns [have been presented].
[Blogger: Despite that comment, on the drawing under discussion (which I subsequently looked at), none of the existing plantings are shown, as nearly as I could tell.]
Jim, continuing, said it was never their intent to destroy their work over the years. Our intent is to make something more enjoyable for the entire township.
Jason asked about red dots on the drawing.
Answer: They are utility poles. There is one that is not even in or at the right of way. It is right alongside the [proposed new] handicapped area. In discussion today with Bud Foster, he remembers the pole having been struck and then replaced. I wonder if when they did that it got back to where it is now. But there is also 17 feet beyond it a guy wire coming down and anchoring the pole.
Jason: Some of those should be easy conversations with the utility company [about putting it underground].
Jim: The driveway can be adjusted either way and also how you work this proposed license with the people in the house. Maybe they would be favorable to a new driveway.
Jason: A lot of the same people who were with the veterans' memorial and there is zero cost to the township. [Blogger: At the moment there is no cost. But there will be insurance, utility, and maintenance costs. So "zero cost" is not at all accurate.]
John Festa: Obviously this is not to scale. I kind of like the idea that you shrank it down and did not take away from the other features and I like the idea of the cross walk. [There was something about the two handicapped parking spots for the veterans memorial.]
Continuing: Are you going to have this professionally drawn as you get closer? And I think we are probably going to have a discussion today about the boundary lines.
I have been in favor of you going forward and the design is looking good and a lot of folks have put a considerable amount of time, money, and materials for this.
Jason: I am definitely in favor of this. A lot of people have put work into what is there, but I think there are opportunities to improve the area and still maintain those types of working relationships. I don't see how making the area more appealing and pleasing--I don't see a lot of foot traffic over there, except for people mowing or working on it. You rarely see residents there. [And there may be excellent reasons for that, having nothing to do with how pleasant or attractive the area is.] I think if it can be utilized more, that would be great.
I am trying to get my mind around parking over there and a cross walk--people are doing that today so they will do that in the future. You have made it more of a destination for people. Set the cross walk far enough off Diagonal Road and S.R. 82.
I am with John Festa--I would like to see more of a scale model. Know that I am in favor of this as well.
Everyone knows that there are people who will be against you. [Blogger: Can you recognize a pre-emptive spin coming, boys and girls?]
The war memorial was an excellent team effort by members of the community. The only ones against it are the naysayers.
Vic: [Let's] see how the driveway will work out [when the drawing is] to scale. The line is a lot line and not really a property line.
John Festa: Can we give a commitment to the group to move forward? [Blogger's boldface.]
Jason: I don't see an issue with that but I can't approve a plan because we don't have a hard and fast plan in our hands.
John Festa: I am not asking the board to approve it, but just to make a commitment to moving them forward. [Right. Then what is the above bold-faced remark?]
Jim: We will give you a more detailed print.
Mrs. Weber: I did some research last week. For the photograph you have there--did you use the lines that came off that aerial map? The lady I spoke to in the tax office said that line could be off by 100 feet.
John Festa: We had a surveyor.
Jason: This is from Google Maps and does not have any lot lines. Everyone has an idea of where the lot line is.
Mrs. Weber: But the lot line is not the property line. I have copies of the original survey done in 1974.
John Festa asked for a copy.
Mrs. Weber gave details of the original survey. The paved part in front of her house is not a road and has never been a road.
Vic: A lot of things have changed there. It was a cut through and there were a lot of accidents there. That is why we closed it. On our inventory it is listed as Square Drive and we had to keep it on the inventory list in order to abandon it.
John Festa: We certainly want to get this right. Our attorney states that the surveys are correct and you have a different point of view.
At this point Jason and Vic talked about the layout and the lines. For your blogger, there was a considerable lack of clarity about how much property there is and how it is configured.
At this point there was a muttered but audible "Jesus Christ" from the back of the room.
Dave Pollard added some information a bout the property to the west of the house. Cavanaugh has been using it for a long time.
Vic also commented on his understanding of how the parcel is laid out.
[Blogger: This is a logical point to stop. Jan Oros engaged the trustees in a discussion about the choice of site, among other things. It was a thoughtful discussion and worth its own place. Stay tuned.]
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Friday, June 24, 2016
June 16 Trustees--Clubs and Committees, Grants Committee Report
After the regular items--correspondence, fiscal report, the bids for chip and seal were opened. Luli won the bid.
Garden Club, Sue Skrovan: The club purchased flowers and planted them before Memorial Day in the four pots in the park, the green, at the Civic Center, and in the bullpen area at the trellis for Memorial Day.
Sue thanked Victor Grimm for donating the flowers for the sign at the front of the Township Hall and at the historical marker sign at the Township Hall.
[Blogger: This is the sort of thing that Vic has always done. I do not remember the other trustees having done anything similar.]
Sue, continuing: The Garden Club will have leftover plants and also the windows from this building available to purchase. [Blogger: Apologies for not having that clearer.]
The Mantua Restoration Society, Inc.: Your faithful blogger reminded everyone about the upcoming Second Annual Mantua Center Flea Market at the school building, inside and out, rain or shine, on July 16 and 17. Tables are $20.00 for one day or $35.00 for two. People are invited to come to buy "stuff" or to rent a table to sell "stuff." Food will be available on a donation basis.
For your information, the contact number is 330-281-9331. That's Matt Leedom, who has the lead on this event.
Terrie Nielsen, Grants and Funding Committee Chair: I drafted a letter for the trustees to sign for the commissioners, requesting that they waive all fees and permitting costs for the elevator project. We were advised by the Portage County Building Department that that is done regularly and it will help defray some costs.
We asked for $2500 from the Portage Foundation but did not receive it. We can try again in August.
We did get a grant for $1500 from First Energy. They would like to attend a trustees meeting to present that check and be recognized in some way once the elevator is complete.
We submitted a grant on June 1 to the National Preservation Fund to pay for half of the cost of the electrical engineer, Hal Stamm's, and John Zeit's fees. They [Hal and John] are donating all of their time, but they have insurance costs.
We filed a grant to Lowe's for $50,000 intended for repairs to the bell tower on the school.
We are also looking at the tree issue.
Jason: Congratulations on the First Energy grant. What can it be used for?
Terrie: For the elevator.
Jason: For the runs, or what?
Terrie: It can just go into the pot. They will ask us for receipts, but this was for the first stage of the elevator project. All of the paper work is in.
An update on the CDBG: The plans are for the most part done. There was recently or will be a meeting at Regional Planning with Hal Stamm and Eric Hummel. It should go out to bid July 3, with the bids due back by July 20. The other portions should follow shortly after. Regional Planning has all the documents for Phase2. The blueprints by John Zeit encompass the actual [?] items--the airlock and walkway.
John Festa: Do you have copies we need to sign?
Terrie: My understanding is that you made some changes?
Jason: Only minor ones. If you guys are OK with it, I make a motion to sign the letter Terrie Nielsaen drafted to the Commissioners.
Terrie: If you want, I work in the building and can deliver it.
Vic: Lisa Reeves [Regional Planning] called me about 2:30 for some answers. They have moved the actual bid opening to July 27. I had met with Hal Stamm and John Zeit last Friday and I put them directly in touch with Lisa. They have to break it up into Phase 1 and Phase 2. They had to move it [the bid opening] a week.
The vote on Jason's motion was unanimous approval.
John Festa thanked Terrie again.
[Blogger: That's a good stopping point both for content and for my tolerance to sit at the keyboard. More soon.]
Garden Club, Sue Skrovan: The club purchased flowers and planted them before Memorial Day in the four pots in the park, the green, at the Civic Center, and in the bullpen area at the trellis for Memorial Day.
Sue thanked Victor Grimm for donating the flowers for the sign at the front of the Township Hall and at the historical marker sign at the Township Hall.
[Blogger: This is the sort of thing that Vic has always done. I do not remember the other trustees having done anything similar.]
Sue, continuing: The Garden Club will have leftover plants and also the windows from this building available to purchase. [Blogger: Apologies for not having that clearer.]
The Mantua Restoration Society, Inc.: Your faithful blogger reminded everyone about the upcoming Second Annual Mantua Center Flea Market at the school building, inside and out, rain or shine, on July 16 and 17. Tables are $20.00 for one day or $35.00 for two. People are invited to come to buy "stuff" or to rent a table to sell "stuff." Food will be available on a donation basis.
For your information, the contact number is 330-281-9331. That's Matt Leedom, who has the lead on this event.
Terrie Nielsen, Grants and Funding Committee Chair: I drafted a letter for the trustees to sign for the commissioners, requesting that they waive all fees and permitting costs for the elevator project. We were advised by the Portage County Building Department that that is done regularly and it will help defray some costs.
We asked for $2500 from the Portage Foundation but did not receive it. We can try again in August.
We did get a grant for $1500 from First Energy. They would like to attend a trustees meeting to present that check and be recognized in some way once the elevator is complete.
We submitted a grant on June 1 to the National Preservation Fund to pay for half of the cost of the electrical engineer, Hal Stamm's, and John Zeit's fees. They [Hal and John] are donating all of their time, but they have insurance costs.
We filed a grant to Lowe's for $50,000 intended for repairs to the bell tower on the school.
We are also looking at the tree issue.
Jason: Congratulations on the First Energy grant. What can it be used for?
Terrie: For the elevator.
Jason: For the runs, or what?
Terrie: It can just go into the pot. They will ask us for receipts, but this was for the first stage of the elevator project. All of the paper work is in.
An update on the CDBG: The plans are for the most part done. There was recently or will be a meeting at Regional Planning with Hal Stamm and Eric Hummel. It should go out to bid July 3, with the bids due back by July 20. The other portions should follow shortly after. Regional Planning has all the documents for Phase2. The blueprints by John Zeit encompass the actual [?] items--the airlock and walkway.
John Festa: Do you have copies we need to sign?
Terrie: My understanding is that you made some changes?
Jason: Only minor ones. If you guys are OK with it, I make a motion to sign the letter Terrie Nielsaen drafted to the Commissioners.
Terrie: If you want, I work in the building and can deliver it.
Vic: Lisa Reeves [Regional Planning] called me about 2:30 for some answers. They have moved the actual bid opening to July 27. I had met with Hal Stamm and John Zeit last Friday and I put them directly in touch with Lisa. They have to break it up into Phase 1 and Phase 2. They had to move it [the bid opening] a week.
The vote on Jason's motion was unanimous approval.
John Festa thanked Terrie again.
[Blogger: That's a good stopping point both for content and for my tolerance to sit at the keyboard. More soon.]
Sunday, June 19, 2016
It CAN Happen Here
It has taken a while to get to this post, but here it is at last.
At the Memorial Day observances at the cemetery, Terri Vechery had a chilling story to tell.
During the night, while everyone was asleep (about 2 a.m. or so), someone managed to find the one open window--and it took some hunting--entered the house, and found Anita's car keys, on a hook which she had never used before. The person apparently left the house by the same window, took the car, and went off to somewhere around Roundup Lake to party.
That was apparently so much fun that he decided to take a joy ride, which attracted the attention of, as they say, the local constabulary. The police called ahead, once the route seemed determined, and traffic stop strips got laid down. They worked.
Terri said that she was awakened by a pounding on the door, which she approached with great caution, to see a very tall man looking through the window at the top of the door and saying, "Police, Ma'am." Anita had a vanity plate on her car--not tough to trace.
The kid who broke in had also checked another place but gained nothing, and oddly enough he did not take Anita's purse. He did scoop up the glass marbles that Jim Vechery has been learning to make at Frost Glass--so add theft beyond the car and the B & E to the list of charges.
So that's the gist of the story, which is enough to make all of us sleep with the windows closed or put alarms on all of them. And maybe seriously consider getting a big dog as an early warning system. Terri said she was going to put it on Facebook because we all need to be aware of this stuff. You may already have seen it there.
At the Memorial Day observances at the cemetery, Terri Vechery had a chilling story to tell.
During the night, while everyone was asleep (about 2 a.m. or so), someone managed to find the one open window--and it took some hunting--entered the house, and found Anita's car keys, on a hook which she had never used before. The person apparently left the house by the same window, took the car, and went off to somewhere around Roundup Lake to party.
That was apparently so much fun that he decided to take a joy ride, which attracted the attention of, as they say, the local constabulary. The police called ahead, once the route seemed determined, and traffic stop strips got laid down. They worked.
Terri said that she was awakened by a pounding on the door, which she approached with great caution, to see a very tall man looking through the window at the top of the door and saying, "Police, Ma'am." Anita had a vanity plate on her car--not tough to trace.
The kid who broke in had also checked another place but gained nothing, and oddly enough he did not take Anita's purse. He did scoop up the glass marbles that Jim Vechery has been learning to make at Frost Glass--so add theft beyond the car and the B & E to the list of charges.
So that's the gist of the story, which is enough to make all of us sleep with the windows closed or put alarms on all of them. And maybe seriously consider getting a big dog as an early warning system. Terri said she was going to put it on Facebook because we all need to be aware of this stuff. You may already have seen it there.
Monday, June 13, 2016
Trustees June 2, 2016
Foreword: Remember that you can watch and hear the meetings on the township website, mantuatownshipohio.gov. The minutes, upon approval, are posted on the website also.
After the usual opening activities, including the financial report, Jason gave the other trustees and Jodie Thompson a letter from the Portage County Commissioners regarding the award of the new CDB grant. He read the letter.
Vic: The confirmation of the grant was addressed to the Mantua Restoration Society, which with the Grants Committee has done very well in getting grants for the school.
[Jason did not acknowledge the addressee of the confirmation. All but one member of the seven-member committee are members of the restoration society.]
John Dickey, Zoning Inspector, reported on various zoning activities. The Carlton mulching operation hearing has been delayed until September.
There were various permit violations.
[Blogger: I don't quite understand this next bit, but here it is: A resident complained about a neighbor's tall grass. I met that resident last fall when I was campaigning. The couple had moved from a municipality that had appearance ordinances, and they were indignant that the township did not also have them and therefore could not take action against their neighbor. When I left, I made it a point to look for this tall grass, expecting it to be to the windowsills or above. It was probably about 8-10 inches tall--admittedly raggedy compared with regularly mown lawns. But I was bemused at the level of outrage expressed about it.
OK--so, the resident complained to John Dickey. In my notes, I have it that John Dickey had gone and mowed the offending yard, but I had heard earlier that it was Jim Aldrich. There was also something about a check being made out, I believe, but that was hazy enough that it didn't make it into my notes.
So--if I could get a neighbor to complain loudly enough about my front yard (which is not visible from the road), would someone from the township come and mow it? And on whose time/dime?]
Road Department, Brian Tayerle: Paving in Olde Taylor Woods is finished for the year. We will have to keep chasing the problem further and further back. [Dave Pollard has commented on that issue in other meetings.]
Brian also reported that the City of Aurora has put a chipper up for auction. [I heard subsequently that the township won the bid on it.]
Junk day was a success.
Trustee Reports: New beneficiary forms have arrived.
Then there was discussion about the township picking up Hal Stamm's insurance for the work Hal has done at the school building.
Vic: He needs this for our building to do the work.
John Festa: Hal Stamm has been fair with us in the past and the $2,000 to $2,500 is reasonable for a structural engineer. Hiring a structural engineer to do all the work [that Hal has done pro bono] would cost us a lot more money.
Jason: Made a motion to cover the $2250 that Hal has paid to Seibert-Keck. Seconded and passed unanimously.
John Festa reported on the receipt of a letter from Chris Meduri about the licensing agreement between the township and the residents/owners of the house just across the bullpen. He read the whole letter, which was lengthy. [Your blogger did not try to transcribe it.]
JF: The owners have been there for a long time. I think it is fair for them to remain there on a license which we can revoke at any time for any cause.
Vic: He received a phone call about bonding for Marie Stehli, former fiscal officer. The bonding needs to be cancelled. Jodie Thompson has been bonded.
John Festa had gotten a phone call from Dan Tillett and a FW from John Zeit about the elevator. We are close to being able to go out for bid on the project.
Jason reported that an ad has been run in the Record Courier for bids to do crack seal in the township,
The Summit Free Wheelers (bicycle group) will not be racing in the township.
The eagle scout seeking a project is still looking. [Blogger: This puzzles me. It would seem that the trustees would be the ones to find or devise a suitable project. Jason presents this as if someone else is supposed to come forward with a suggestion. Vic made a suggestion that apparently fell on deaf ears.]
Vic: On the other Boy Scout project--he has almost all of the donations in place and it has been approved by the BSA council. He can start on it right away--it is over 90% ready to go.
After that, there was a little discussion about updating the website.
Public Comment followed. That has already been posted.
After the usual opening activities, including the financial report, Jason gave the other trustees and Jodie Thompson a letter from the Portage County Commissioners regarding the award of the new CDB grant. He read the letter.
Vic: The confirmation of the grant was addressed to the Mantua Restoration Society, which with the Grants Committee has done very well in getting grants for the school.
[Jason did not acknowledge the addressee of the confirmation. All but one member of the seven-member committee are members of the restoration society.]
John Dickey, Zoning Inspector, reported on various zoning activities. The Carlton mulching operation hearing has been delayed until September.
There were various permit violations.
[Blogger: I don't quite understand this next bit, but here it is: A resident complained about a neighbor's tall grass. I met that resident last fall when I was campaigning. The couple had moved from a municipality that had appearance ordinances, and they were indignant that the township did not also have them and therefore could not take action against their neighbor. When I left, I made it a point to look for this tall grass, expecting it to be to the windowsills or above. It was probably about 8-10 inches tall--admittedly raggedy compared with regularly mown lawns. But I was bemused at the level of outrage expressed about it.
OK--so, the resident complained to John Dickey. In my notes, I have it that John Dickey had gone and mowed the offending yard, but I had heard earlier that it was Jim Aldrich. There was also something about a check being made out, I believe, but that was hazy enough that it didn't make it into my notes.
So--if I could get a neighbor to complain loudly enough about my front yard (which is not visible from the road), would someone from the township come and mow it? And on whose time/dime?]
Road Department, Brian Tayerle: Paving in Olde Taylor Woods is finished for the year. We will have to keep chasing the problem further and further back. [Dave Pollard has commented on that issue in other meetings.]
Brian also reported that the City of Aurora has put a chipper up for auction. [I heard subsequently that the township won the bid on it.]
Junk day was a success.
Trustee Reports: New beneficiary forms have arrived.
Then there was discussion about the township picking up Hal Stamm's insurance for the work Hal has done at the school building.
Vic: He needs this for our building to do the work.
John Festa: Hal Stamm has been fair with us in the past and the $2,000 to $2,500 is reasonable for a structural engineer. Hiring a structural engineer to do all the work [that Hal has done pro bono] would cost us a lot more money.
Jason: Made a motion to cover the $2250 that Hal has paid to Seibert-Keck. Seconded and passed unanimously.
John Festa reported on the receipt of a letter from Chris Meduri about the licensing agreement between the township and the residents/owners of the house just across the bullpen. He read the whole letter, which was lengthy. [Your blogger did not try to transcribe it.]
JF: The owners have been there for a long time. I think it is fair for them to remain there on a license which we can revoke at any time for any cause.
Vic: He received a phone call about bonding for Marie Stehli, former fiscal officer. The bonding needs to be cancelled. Jodie Thompson has been bonded.
John Festa had gotten a phone call from Dan Tillett and a FW from John Zeit about the elevator. We are close to being able to go out for bid on the project.
Jason reported that an ad has been run in the Record Courier for bids to do crack seal in the township,
The Summit Free Wheelers (bicycle group) will not be racing in the township.
The eagle scout seeking a project is still looking. [Blogger: This puzzles me. It would seem that the trustees would be the ones to find or devise a suitable project. Jason presents this as if someone else is supposed to come forward with a suggestion. Vic made a suggestion that apparently fell on deaf ears.]
Vic: On the other Boy Scout project--he has almost all of the donations in place and it has been approved by the BSA council. He can start on it right away--it is over 90% ready to go.
After that, there was a little discussion about updating the website.
Public Comment followed. That has already been posted.
Sunday, June 5, 2016
Trustees 6-2-16
Blogger Foreword: A good bit of the meeting was routine; public comment had some non-routine or new things and for that reason will come first this time.
In light of my many editorial remarks on proceedings and events, I found the following comment on the radio this morning very interesting:
The arc of the universe is towards justice.
It's an encouraging variation on my mantra, "Good Prevails."
Public Comment began at 8:10p.m.
Mark Hall, Loris Avenue: [This is] follow up of my last meeting's comments: Was the board able to do anything to get the parks commission and Garden Club communicating with one another pooling our resources and knowledge for the common good?
John Festa: We have not. We made an agreement that they would report once a month and the last time was at the last meeting.
Jason: I think you have some valid concerns and I think some effort should be coming forth. I have not contacted anyone.
[Blogger: Is anyone surprised at those responses? And for all of Jason's oh-so-positive first sentence, there is not action or requirement of action from him.]
Next were two residents of Olde Taylor Woods about the roads there. The Saturday Record Courier had a front page article about the discussion between them and the trustees. Their summarized remarks and conversation will follow the next public comment contribution, which logically fits with Mark's remarks.
Carole Pollard, Allyn Road: This is the verbatim transcript of what I read and then presented to the trustees and the fiscal officer.
To: Mantua Township Trustees
Jason Carlton
John Festa
Victor Grimm
From: Carole Pollard, resident
Subject: Proposal re a Township Park
Jason, in the spring of 2010 you conducted a problem solving workshop which was a good beginning. At that time you also showed me what you hoped would happen--that people with differing views would come together in the middle. Given the intense feelings in the township, that isn't likely just to happen. I it is to happen, it has to be designed and then shepherded and managed until it DOES happen.
At the May 19, 2016, trustees' meeting, Mark Hall referred to the need for inclusion.
The proposal to create a park is the perfect opportunity to act inclusively, to complete the problem solving process that you introduced in 2010, and to end up with a township park that will be useful to all and demonstrate what can be accomplished together.
I believe this is what it will take:
1. The trustees appoint a parks problem solving committee with equal numbers of members who want the park in the bullpen and those who think another location would be preferable. Ten to twelve members would ensure a variety of perspectives and therefore an optimum solution.
2. The trustees task that committee with developing a plan that is acceptable to all members. Until all members can accept and agree upon the plan, no township property would be modified.
3. The trustees engage the services of a professional park/landscape designer in order for the park to be a beautiful place that will symbolize what has been accomplished in resolving our differences. The National Trust Foundation, which the township joined, will pay at least part of the cost of professional fees and permits.
4. The trustees ask the Grants and Funding Committee to seek a grant or grants to develop the plan and execute it professionally.
5. The trustees request that Todd Peetz facilitate a certain number of meetings so that there is a neutral, qualified person helping the committee to achieve its task smoothly.
6. The trustees set a time frame and request periodic progress reports from the committee.
Clearly, the steps outlined cannot be accomplished in a few weeks--but the saying "Haste makes waste" is all too true. Nothing of beauty, inclusiveness, or service to the entire township will be lost by approaching this worthy challenge deliberately and thoughtfully. Everything is to be gained, for generations.
In keeping with the importance of creating a park and fostering a spirit of cooperation in the township, I request that this proposal be an agenda item for the June 16, 2016, Mantua Township Trustees meeting. I request that this proposal be a topic of thoughtful discussion, deliberate consideration, and a decision that is an example of inclusiveness.
Thank you for giving this your serious consideration.
Two residents of Olde Taylor Woods: [Blogger: I caught the first name, Joe, of one resident, who was the spokesman for their concerns.]
Joe: We have joined the homeowners' association. We came to thank you for the work on the roads.
We also wanted to ask some questions. I understand that the repairs are about 700 feet per year. Can you tell us more about that?
Jason: About three years ago a couple of residents came from the homeowners' association. At that time we had done about 700 feet. When the subdivision was done, the county laid out the roads which are turned over to the township for maintenance. Usually we don't have too many issues [in subdivisions] because traffic is low. It so happens that OTW was built on a lot of clay and we are not sure if the base was put down correctly. You had about everything go wrong that could go wrong. So your road was deteriorating prematurely.
We only have $200,00-$300,000 we can spend annually for all 37 miles of roads. We can not justify putting a large sum of money into any subdivision and getting the value out. If we put money into Center Road or Pioneer Trail or Skinner, there is high traffic on those roads. So we set up a schedule to do 700 feet a year through a handshake agreement with the homeowners' association. Over the past three years we have been doing about 700 feet a year to try to fix major problems. I think now your are in fairly good shape. I can't promise we will do 700 feet every year, but that is the approach.
Joe thanked Jason and clarified that the plan, all things permitting, is to do 700 feet a year.
Jason then launched into a primer on methods of dealing with roads and how the township approaches its roads. There was some discussion between him and Joe about that.
Vic explained how they had approached the drainage problems initially: This was with a system of side drainage that helped but did not solve it necessarily. Years ago that was a pretty wet area. None of the roads in the county are on a solid base.
Vic also explained the process and relationship between the county and township in dealing with the roads. Most of the roads in the township don't have a solid base.
John Festa clarified that it had actually been four years, and a couple of areas have been worked on twice.
Vic: Crack seal doesn't look good, but it holds the road.
Jason encouraged them to call the township if they saw anything developing.
Joe: We have seen the improvement and are happy about that.
[There were a few other questions that applied to OTW but nothing of a broader nature.]
Dave Pollard, S.R. 82: The best time top put in a road that will hold up is February, March, and April. You can find every soft spot that way. But every subdivision road has probably been put in in July and August. My brother put in a driveway in August, and he put in more gravel again in the spring.
When clay gets wet, there are no pores in it, so it must expand. By putting it in during dry weather, it looks good. I don't know if there is a solution because the county is in charge and the developers have a lot of pull, but if there is a way to put these roads in then, it will cost the developers more but less over time.
There should be some way for the townships to get together and make sure this doesn't happen. The way it works now, it is not fair to anyone. I don't know if there is anything you can do, but the best time is January, February, March, April.
John Festa: As long as this board [meaning himself, your blogger suspects] is sitting here, another road like that will not be put in.
Dave: The county would trump that.
JF: They do. [So what was the point of the grandiose statement above?]
Dave: The problems show up after a year. What the speculators want is to make their moneyh and t turn it over to the township. I would hope you could go through the Township Association and get enough support to change some of this.
[That was the end of Dave's remarks and public comment, and the trustees set about paying the bills.
I believe there was an executive session after that to discuss employment or personnel.]
In light of my many editorial remarks on proceedings and events, I found the following comment on the radio this morning very interesting:
The arc of the universe is towards justice.
It's an encouraging variation on my mantra, "Good Prevails."
Public Comment began at 8:10p.m.
Mark Hall, Loris Avenue: [This is] follow up of my last meeting's comments: Was the board able to do anything to get the parks commission and Garden Club communicating with one another pooling our resources and knowledge for the common good?
John Festa: We have not. We made an agreement that they would report once a month and the last time was at the last meeting.
Jason: I think you have some valid concerns and I think some effort should be coming forth. I have not contacted anyone.
[Blogger: Is anyone surprised at those responses? And for all of Jason's oh-so-positive first sentence, there is not action or requirement of action from him.]
Next were two residents of Olde Taylor Woods about the roads there. The Saturday Record Courier had a front page article about the discussion between them and the trustees. Their summarized remarks and conversation will follow the next public comment contribution, which logically fits with Mark's remarks.
Carole Pollard, Allyn Road: This is the verbatim transcript of what I read and then presented to the trustees and the fiscal officer.
To: Mantua Township Trustees
Jason Carlton
John Festa
Victor Grimm
From: Carole Pollard, resident
Subject: Proposal re a Township Park
Jason, in the spring of 2010 you conducted a problem solving workshop which was a good beginning. At that time you also showed me what you hoped would happen--that people with differing views would come together in the middle. Given the intense feelings in the township, that isn't likely just to happen. I it is to happen, it has to be designed and then shepherded and managed until it DOES happen.
At the May 19, 2016, trustees' meeting, Mark Hall referred to the need for inclusion.
The proposal to create a park is the perfect opportunity to act inclusively, to complete the problem solving process that you introduced in 2010, and to end up with a township park that will be useful to all and demonstrate what can be accomplished together.
I believe this is what it will take:
1. The trustees appoint a parks problem solving committee with equal numbers of members who want the park in the bullpen and those who think another location would be preferable. Ten to twelve members would ensure a variety of perspectives and therefore an optimum solution.
2. The trustees task that committee with developing a plan that is acceptable to all members. Until all members can accept and agree upon the plan, no township property would be modified.
3. The trustees engage the services of a professional park/landscape designer in order for the park to be a beautiful place that will symbolize what has been accomplished in resolving our differences. The National Trust Foundation, which the township joined, will pay at least part of the cost of professional fees and permits.
4. The trustees ask the Grants and Funding Committee to seek a grant or grants to develop the plan and execute it professionally.
5. The trustees request that Todd Peetz facilitate a certain number of meetings so that there is a neutral, qualified person helping the committee to achieve its task smoothly.
6. The trustees set a time frame and request periodic progress reports from the committee.
Clearly, the steps outlined cannot be accomplished in a few weeks--but the saying "Haste makes waste" is all too true. Nothing of beauty, inclusiveness, or service to the entire township will be lost by approaching this worthy challenge deliberately and thoughtfully. Everything is to be gained, for generations.
In keeping with the importance of creating a park and fostering a spirit of cooperation in the township, I request that this proposal be an agenda item for the June 16, 2016, Mantua Township Trustees meeting. I request that this proposal be a topic of thoughtful discussion, deliberate consideration, and a decision that is an example of inclusiveness.
Thank you for giving this your serious consideration.
Two residents of Olde Taylor Woods: [Blogger: I caught the first name, Joe, of one resident, who was the spokesman for their concerns.]
Joe: We have joined the homeowners' association. We came to thank you for the work on the roads.
We also wanted to ask some questions. I understand that the repairs are about 700 feet per year. Can you tell us more about that?
Jason: About three years ago a couple of residents came from the homeowners' association. At that time we had done about 700 feet. When the subdivision was done, the county laid out the roads which are turned over to the township for maintenance. Usually we don't have too many issues [in subdivisions] because traffic is low. It so happens that OTW was built on a lot of clay and we are not sure if the base was put down correctly. You had about everything go wrong that could go wrong. So your road was deteriorating prematurely.
We only have $200,00-$300,000 we can spend annually for all 37 miles of roads. We can not justify putting a large sum of money into any subdivision and getting the value out. If we put money into Center Road or Pioneer Trail or Skinner, there is high traffic on those roads. So we set up a schedule to do 700 feet a year through a handshake agreement with the homeowners' association. Over the past three years we have been doing about 700 feet a year to try to fix major problems. I think now your are in fairly good shape. I can't promise we will do 700 feet every year, but that is the approach.
Joe thanked Jason and clarified that the plan, all things permitting, is to do 700 feet a year.
Jason then launched into a primer on methods of dealing with roads and how the township approaches its roads. There was some discussion between him and Joe about that.
Vic explained how they had approached the drainage problems initially: This was with a system of side drainage that helped but did not solve it necessarily. Years ago that was a pretty wet area. None of the roads in the county are on a solid base.
Vic also explained the process and relationship between the county and township in dealing with the roads. Most of the roads in the township don't have a solid base.
John Festa clarified that it had actually been four years, and a couple of areas have been worked on twice.
Vic: Crack seal doesn't look good, but it holds the road.
Jason encouraged them to call the township if they saw anything developing.
Joe: We have seen the improvement and are happy about that.
[There were a few other questions that applied to OTW but nothing of a broader nature.]
Dave Pollard, S.R. 82: The best time top put in a road that will hold up is February, March, and April. You can find every soft spot that way. But every subdivision road has probably been put in in July and August. My brother put in a driveway in August, and he put in more gravel again in the spring.
When clay gets wet, there are no pores in it, so it must expand. By putting it in during dry weather, it looks good. I don't know if there is a solution because the county is in charge and the developers have a lot of pull, but if there is a way to put these roads in then, it will cost the developers more but less over time.
There should be some way for the townships to get together and make sure this doesn't happen. The way it works now, it is not fair to anyone. I don't know if there is anything you can do, but the best time is January, February, March, April.
John Festa: As long as this board [meaning himself, your blogger suspects] is sitting here, another road like that will not be put in.
Dave: The county would trump that.
JF: They do. [So what was the point of the grandiose statement above?]
Dave: The problems show up after a year. What the speculators want is to make their moneyh and t turn it over to the township. I would hope you could go through the Township Association and get enough support to change some of this.
[That was the end of Dave's remarks and public comment, and the trustees set about paying the bills.
I believe there was an executive session after that to discuss employment or personnel.]
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