Township Still Collecting Large Limbs in Community
By Emily Chesnic
Northfield Center Township officials now are reviewing submitted request for proposals from design/build contractors for the construction of a safety building/administration offices in the community.
At the Feb. 1, the trustees opened the sealed documents, with four companies – Lakeland Management Systems, Inc., of Painsville; Regency Construction Services, Inc., of Brook Park; Infinity Construction Co, of Cleveland; and CT Taylor Construction, of Hudson; submitting proposals. Feb. 1 was the deadline to submit proposals, with the proposals averaging about $2 million.
The township is following a timeline to construct the new safety building at the site of Northfield Center’s service yard, between West and East Highland roads, just off Olde Eight Road. The new building will take the place of the fire station on Route 82 and the current Town Hall off Brandywine Road.
In the fall, the trustees approved a preliminary sketch of the multi-purpose facility, also to provide an office for policing, presented
by criteria architect, Thrasher Group, of Canton. Thrasher’s sketch shows the building will be about 11,000 square foot in size.
Township officials have said they plan to spend about $1.25 million on the project. They acknowledged the four proposals received came in higher than anticipated.
Mazzolla said the trustees would hold a meeting in a few weeks to accept a proposal for the project officially.
Large Limb Collection
Beginning Jan. 18, Northfield Center Township started picking up limbs that came down in the community during snowstorm events in December.
Service Director Rick Youel said residents still are calling to have their branches taken away, so the pickup is continuing this month, as weather allows. Youel said his department plans to make another round to collect all the limbs still needing to be picked up.
The township considers a large limb being at least 3 inches in diameter and at least 5 feet in length. Those who have appropriate branches are asked to place the intact limbs side by side and about 2 feet away from the edge of the road. Youel said the limbs should not be stacked but should be placed perpendicular to the road and over ditches.
He said the limb collection is intended to clean up accumulated debris from weather damage in the township. Leaves, other trimmings, mulch, and dirt are items not being collected.
Crestwood Park Conceptual Plan
At the meeting, it was announced grant funding is available for the township’s conceptual design plan for Crestwood Park, with Trustees voting to accept an offer for a design plan.
Northfield Center officials said flooding has occurred in the Crestwood area for 55 years. The plan will help the township work to elevate the issue, addressing drainage situations that exist, however.
The trustees agreed it was time to alleviate the flooding that occurs from this location.
Bayberry Drive Project
Youel told the trustees the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) requested more information on the work being proposed on Bayberry Drive in the township.
In November 2020, the township applied to the OPWC for a design/build grant for repairs and reconstruction work on Bayberry Drive.
He said the OPWC wanted to see photos showing why the roadway is “hazardous,” so he submitted pictures of the flooding and ice build up that occurs.
“We are waiting for a reply back from them,” he said.
Earth Day Community Cleanup
Administrator Helen Humphries announced a Nordonia High School senior recently asked to organize an Earth Day community cleanup, focusing on the beautification of Northfield Center Township’s parks.
The trustees agreed it was a good idea and instructed Humphries to permit the student to begin coordinating the effort.
Other Meeting News:
• The trustees voted to accept a memorandum of understanding between Tinker’s Creek Watershed Partners and Northfield Center Township, authorizing a payment of $1,000.
• The trustees authorized transferring $571,254 from the coronavirus relief fund to other funds, with $565,807.30 being moved to the fire district fund and $5,446.70 to the general fund.
• The trustees agreed to apply to Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) for an Energized Community Grant in the amount of $3,105 for 2021.
• The trustees authorized a request for quotes for a lawn mowing and landscape maintenance contract for the township properties for 2021.
• The trustees approved a payout of 48 hours vacation time from 2020 for John Horn, in accordance with township policy.
• The trustees discussed ongoing efforts to rectify a situation with playground equipment becoming too hot in the sun, creating a dangerous situation, at Beacon Hill Park.
• Humphries told the trustees NOPEC has a Community Day Grant available, in the amount of $750, the township can apply for once an appropriate community event to spend the money on can be been identified.
• Youel told the trustees he was working to reduce the amount of equipment his department needs to store, as new vehicles come in, with a future workshop to be set up to discuss the situation more in-depth.
• It was announced the Summit County Engineer’s Office is planning to resurface a portion of Olde Eight Road and locate a traffic signal on Olde Eight and Twinsburg Road soon, as well as study the need to resurface a portion of Valley View Road.
• The trustees discussed seeking bids for a roof replacement project at the township garage and gutter work needed at town hall.
