Akron Ohio News - Richfield trustees make road repair efforts

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Richfield trustees make road repair efforts

6/14/2012 - West Side Leader

By Jeff Gorman

The Richfield Township trustees took several actions at the June 7 meeting to improve the township’s roads.

The trustees approved a grant application for a project to resurface Hawkins Road. In addition to resurfacing the road, the project would include replacing broken concrete ditches, sealing existing gutters and fixing culverts, according to township officials.

The overall cost of the project would be $330,000, and the trustees will apply to the Ohio Public Works Commission for half of that amount, according to township officials.

“Even if we don’t get it, we would in the running for an interest-free loan,” said Township Administrator Linda Bowmer.

The trustees also approved the purchase of a 2-ton asphalt transporter. The township had previously rented the apparatus three times per year at a cost of $350.

Originally, the trustees planned to purchase the transporter, which was made in Canada, from DJL Material and Supply for $12,915.

However, after the meeting, Trustee David Wyatt went on the Internet and found a similar item that was made in America. The cost was slightly less at $12,700.

So the trustees called an emergency meeting to rescind the earlier purchase and buy the American-made asphalt transporter from KL International.

In other news:

• Police Chief Keith Morgan reported Paul Fister has been promoted to Morgan’s former position as sergeant. The police department also hired full-time officer John Petrovich and part-time officers Steve Robinson, Rob Young and Dave Polak.

Safety Town will take place during the week of June 18 at Hillcrest Elementary School with morning and afternoon sessions, Morgan said.

The police chief also reported his department received its two new vehicles, which the Service Department is equipping. They should be on the road in a month, he said.

Morgan also announced the Everett Road bridge will be closed beginning June 18 for 75 days.

• Fire Lt. Bob Jones said May was the busiest month of the year, not only for Richfield Fire Department, but also for their local counterparts.

Jones talked about a fire at a home on Medina Line Road.

“It went well and appeared to be accidental,” Jones said. “It was a large loss with smoke damage, but nobody was hurt.”

In addition, Jones said the fire department will get a new ambulance, which is scheduled for delivery in July.

• The Zoning Department issued five zoning certificates in May, including for three new residences, according to a written report from Zoning Inspector Laurie Pinney.

Also, a zoning certificate for another new home is pending, and it will be the first in the Killarney Woods subdivision.

The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) and Zoning Commission will not meet in June, but both groups will return in July. There is still a vacancy for an alternate member on the BZA.

• Bowmer reported Richfield Appreciation Days at the Akron Zoo will take place Aug. 20-21. Tickets will be coming to the office, she said.

• Trustees voted to approve repair expenses with Akron Tractor on the mower and backhoe in the amount of $5,230.

Road Foreman Jerry Schall said both items are back on the road and his crew finished earlier in the morning before the meeting.

Also, the trustees voted to approve the expenditure of $4,566 to have Montrose Ford repair the township’s snowplow.

• Trustees voted to express their support for the Summit County Council’s efforts to regulate panhandling.

• Justin Smith, of Boy Scout Troup No. 387, gained approval for his plans to build an informational kiosk in Rising Valley Park. The kiosk, which will be his Eagle Scout project, will be available for the posting of park rules and event information.

• Trustees approved the expense of $39,000 to Lytle Construction for road construction projects. The work will include motor paving on Farnham Road and chip-and-seal work on Whitethorn Circle and Twig Road.

• Trustees also reminded residents a Special Election will take place Aug. 7, and renewal requests for the township’s fire levy and road and bridge levy will be on the ballot.

The next Richfield trustees’ meeting is scheduled for June 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the township offices, located behind the fire station on West Streetsboro Road.

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