Earlier this year concrete road barriers, which had blocked a driveway near a local donut shop, disappeared as quietly as they appeared last year.
The mystery of the disappearance was explained by officials at the February 6, Northfield Center Township Trustee meeting.
According to officials, the property owners were threatened with legal action by township attorneys if the barricades were not removed.
The explanation was given after a resident requested an update on the property entrance and exit near state Route 82. The property is shared by Giant Eagle, Jiffy Lube, and Dunkin Donuts.
The barricades were put in place by the property owner without township permission and posed significant health and safety issues due to preventing access for EMS of fire equipment to service either Dunkin or Jiffy Lube, according to Donald Saunders, township zoning inspector.
New building is still no go
A variety of issues, including supply chain delays and a lack of permanent power have delayed occupancy of the Northfield Center Township Safety and Administration building.
Completion has been put on hold until permanent power can be installed, Jim Honsberger, interim township administrator, said at the February 6,
Trustee meeting.
“We are expecting to be in there shortly after permanent power is installed,” Honsberger said. “We just don’t know when that will be.”
An updated total cost estimate for the building, which is being operated by a generator, was not available at press time.
The tentative move date for Township staffers, including police, fire, and administrative staff was November 2022.
Meijers update/no update
While “Meijers update” was listed under the other items section of the February 6 Trustee meeting agenda, there was no update.
Julie D’Aloiso, the editor of NordoniaHills.News, asked officials about the listed item.
According to the officials there were no updates. Meijers is still in the talking stages with the Township and has no solid plans as of yet to open a store in Northfield Center Township.
Stronger base/fewer bucks
Trustees are exploring several avenues which could help preserve township roads while saving money and keeping more cash in township coffers.
The processes included chip and seal, micro milling, and slurry seal treatments. Slurry sealing protects the base layer of a road potentially extending the overall life, according to Trustee Chair Richard Patz.
“Without a good road foundation nothing works,” Patz said.
Patz has been in contact with other communities inquiring about the slurry process.
“We need to get additional information,” Patz said.
Legislation
•A motion was passed to authorize the Fiscal Officer to draw current warrants/vouchers totaling $368,548 to meet current expenditures.
•A motion was passed to acknowledge receipt of the Bank Reconciliations for the month of January 2023, received February 1, 2023.
•Trustees approved a special hearing scheduled before the March 6, 2023 Regular Trustee meeting for proposed zoning text amendments regarding: box trucks, removing the T-C section from existing Chapter 350 to be its own chapter, mailbox regulations, short term rental liability insurance and definitions for “construction vehicle” and “storage.”
•A resolution to direct the Interim Administrator to perform all necessary steps (to place advertisements) for 2023 grass cutting services of township property, as soon as possible, with all details of the advertisement requiring the written approval of the Chair and for such bids to be received at a date to be specified in March 2023. This resolution also incorporates the annual grass/noxious weeds notice to all Township residents for 2023.
•A resolution was passed to authorize the additional placement of the following Fire Dept vehicle for sale by auction or any legal means to maximize the proceeds from such sale and to authorize Trustee Patz to sign all related agreements and documents as a representative of Northfield Center.
• A resolution was tabled allowing the Township to purchase a CAT mini excavator through the Ohio bidding program not to exceed $90,000.
•A motion was passed to enter into an Executive Session to discuss the sale of township land, and legal and personnel matters.
