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Boston trustees would like roads vacated before winter

9/20/2012 - West Side Leader

By Emily Chesnic

Before the snow begins to fall, Boston Township officials would like the vacation of two roadways approved so they are not stuck maintaining the deteriorating surfaces through the winter months.

However, in light of Summit County Council’s delay in making a decision on the matter, township trustees fear they are going to be left out in the cold and say it is not right.

At the Sept. 12 trustees’ meeting, the discussion again turned to the intent to vacate Wetmore and Oak Hill roads permanently. The vacation is pending approval by county officials, who received the request for the road vacations this spring — about three months ago — but postponed a vote for 90 days so all parties affected could reach an agreement. The county’s Planning and Economic Development Committee agreed Sept. 10 to place the resolutions regarding the vacation of Wetmore and Oak Hill roads on time for another 90 days so the county, township, city of Cuyahoga Falls and National Park Service could continue to discuss the proposed closures and the possible consequences they could have on township residents and neighboring communities.

Trustee Chair Amy Anderson reported Joe Paradise, of the Summit County Engineer’s Office, would like the township to maintain Wetmore and Oak Hill through the snow season.

“I don’t care for that one,” she said.

Trustee Jerry Ritch said the township presented its request for the road vacations months before the snow season so they would not have to treat and plow them through the winter.

According to township officials, the county primarily has not come to a decision due to the Cuyahoga Falls administration’s opposition to the road vacations, specifically Oak Hill Road.

In late June, Cuyahoga Falls officials urged the county to reject the township’s request to vacate Wetmore and Oak Hill because the roadways are school transportation routes and are used by the Falls Fire Department to access portions of the city through Boston Township and as routes for mutual aid response.

Anderson, said, however, she does not understand the city’s reasoning for the request, adding the township does not receive mutual aid in these areas, based on research she conducted.

“Some of the things they are talking about do not happen,” she said.

She told her fellow trustees that Falls Public Service Director Valerie Wax Carr is asking that at least a turnaround 96 feet in diameter be created on Wetmore and Oak Hill for snow plows and safety vehicles to utilize.

According to Anderson, the township could be asked to pay 25 percent of the cost to construct the turnarounds, however.

“I am not inclined to do that,” she said. “I don’t see what our obligation is for any of this construction.”

Anderson said she is frustrated that Cuyahoga Falls officials have not come to the township with their concerns so the matter could be resolved.

“Falls is talking but not having any dialogue with us,” she said.

Anderson said the township is lacking the funds to maintain Wetmore and Oak Hill, primarily because nearly all of the property in the township is within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and is tax exempt.

She has been active in helping residents understand the township’s lack of funding for the maintenance of the roadways. This led one resident to make a significant donation to the township, she said. That donation, in the form of a check, was a hot button issue during the meeting, primarily because it was received three weeks earlier and had not been cashed. Anderson was displeased that she was not made aware the check had not been cashed.

Township attorney Ed Pullekins said he wanted to discuss the check during the regular meeting because he feared the donation possibly was made to help keep Wetmore and Oak Hill open, which is not the board’s intent.

Anderson said she is certain that was not why the donation was made.

The issue was discussed further in an executive session.

In other business, Anderson thanked Paul and Marsha Sergi for the donation of a BMW model of jaws of life and extras.

“This is a phenomenal model for us to have,” she said.

Anderson said the Valley Fire District’s current system dates back to 1976.

“We needed this desperately,” she said. “Their generosity to this community is unrivaled. I cried when I saw it.”

In addition, a discussion took place regarding the Road Department’s need for a new bed for the salt truck, which could cost about $10,000. Trustees agreed to talk more about the matter in the future.

The board also agreed to a salt contract with Peninsula Village for the snow season for $45.51 per ton and an additional fee of $3 per ton for labor fees.

The next regular Boston Board of Trustees meeting will be Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the administrative offices at Boston Township Hall, located at the corner of Main Street and Riverview Road in Peninsula.

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