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Sharon trustees address increase in COVID-19 cases



SHARON — During the Sharon Board of Trustees Sept. 28 meeting, Trustee Kimberly Bolas Miller provided an update on COVID-19 cases in Medina County.
Miller stated the Medina County Health Department (MCHD) has reported an increase in cases of the virus within the county, and MCHD has urged employers to follow all steps listed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning their employees. Miller said MCHD has encouraged the use of remote meetings, adding officials will continue to follow the safety protocols presented by MCHD and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She encouraged the public to visit www.medinahealth.org for COVID-19 updates.
Also at the meeting, Fire Chief Robert Haas addressed a drastic increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations in the Akron area. He said this increase and a shortage of staffing have caused hospitals in the area to ration care and cut beds by 20 percent [at Summa Hospital]. Haas said individuals are strongly encouraged to only enter local hospitals in emergency situations due to this crisis. He stressed the Sharon Fire Department will not ration its care and stated Cleveland Clinic Medina Hospital has not experienced as severe of a problem.
In other business:
• Fiscal Officer Christine Lawson reported the estimated budget for 2022 currently totals $6,722,270. She also reported $23,000 in grants were awarded at a recent meeting of the Sharon Community Trust.
• Trustee Joe Canestraro announced the fire department would host its annual pancake breakfast Oct. 17 from 8 a.m. to noon at the fire station, located at 1274 Sharon-Copley Road, and its fish fry Nov. 6, also at the fire station.
• Trustee Brian Guccion spoke about speeding motorists on Beach, State and Fixler roads, stating Medina County Sheriff’s Office deputies will be patrolling those areas with a “zero tolerance” approach.
• Administrative Assistant Mark Jackson, speaking on behalf of the absent Zoning Inspector Neil Jones, reported the zoning department issued permits for three pools, one deck, seven footers, three single-family homes, three accessory buildings, seven rentals and one conditional application since the last board meeting.
• Resident Missy Schreiner announced her candidacy for the Highland Local Schools Board of Education.
• Thomas Gorenc, a member of Boy Scout Troop 411, presented an idea for his Eagle Scout project — a lending library at Sharon United Methodist Church, located at 6407 Ridge Road, which would also be used for nonperishable food items. Guccion advised Gorenc to call 8-1-1 before any digging and Miller suggested Gorenc consult with Jones for other assistance.
• Resident Ray Lurtz suggested a speed study be done on Boneta Road, as he said he has noticed an increase in speeding motorists and is concerned about the potential for traffic accidents.
In other business, the board approved the following items:
√ a zoning hearing Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. for zoning amendments pertaining to building height, congregate care facilities, noise regulations and planned residential districts;
√ accepting a donation of $1,500 for the Greater Medina County Chamber of Commerce;
√ a payment of $686 to Bay Pointe Technology for equipment;
√ the purchase of a handrail for the post office, with an addition of up to five ballards, for a cost not to exceed $5,000;
√ the purchase of a backhoe from Murphy Tractor for $105,506;
√ the purchase of eight tires for EMS units for a total cost of $1,725; and
√ the purchase of treats for the township’s Halloween celebration Oct. 31 for a cost up to $250.
The next meeting is set for Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. at the township Administration Building, 1322 Sharon-Copley Road.