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Springfield increasing planned road improvements



The Springfield Board of Trustees is increasing the number of road improvement projects scheduled for this year thanks to revenue from the license tax fund and the 1-mill road levy approved by voters in November 2018.
During the April 9 meeting, trustees approved a $97,500 contract for Ronyak Paving for the chip and seal program and a $142,000 contract to Melway Paving for the motorpave program.
Road Superintendent Ted Weinsheimer stated the township plans to improve a total 4.25 miles on 17 roads for a total cost of $389,000 this year. He said last year the township spent $70,000 on road improvements.
“We are making a very strong effort to improve the infrastructure of our roads,” said Trustee Dean Young. “In past years, we really struggled to have the money to do that. We are now doing what we can to improve the roads.”
Weinsheimer stated the following are scheduled for road improvements this year: Belair, Biscayne, Chevelle, Eldorado, Impala, Maxfli, Pinnacle, Ozark and Royal Oak drives; Meadow Spring and Ultra circles; Rolling Meadows and Settlers lanes; Elm Grove Avenue; Nicholas Road north of Chevelle Drive; Cates Road; A Street north of Hayne Road; Killian Road east of Canton Road; and Sherbrook Drive east of Canton Road.
In other business, trustees approved:
• an amendment to the certificate of estimated resources as the township’s new fiscal officer, Michael Spickard, begins his duties, along with an amendment to the final appropriations budget for 2020. At the last meeting, trustees adopted final appropriations for 2020 totaling $7.6 million, but more “clarity” as to the “resources available” is expected through Spickard’s review, according to trustees;
• the Families First Coronavirus Response Act policy, effective April 1 to Dec. 31, modifying the family and medical leave expansion and emergency sick leave for township employees, as permitted under the state’s Public Health Emergency Leave Act, as well as a temporary policy for emergency leave for first responders;
• Southwest Summit Communications radio reprogramming through B&C Communications at an estimated cost of $2,310 for the fire department and $1,522 for the police department;
• dispatching through Sundance Mobile Data Terminal licensing, interface, setup and training at an estimated cost of $3,210 for the fire department;
• the lease of an additional Chevy Tahoe police vehicle for a four-year lease at a cost of $879 a month, with a $1 purchase option at the end of the lease, as well as the purchase of an equipment package at a cost of $10,601. Trustees approved a similar agreement for two other vehicles at the last meeting; and
• nuisance abatement costs to be placed as tax liens on the following properties: $1,899 to 1557-1/2 Massillon Road and $409 to 458 Edith Ave.
Also at the meeting, Trustee Deborah Davis reminded residents there will be no bulk or recycling pickup by Republic Waste until further notice.
She also stated the deadline for the township’s three $1,000 scholarships, with applications available at Springfield High School, was extended to today, April 17. Trustees plan to present the scholarships at the May 14 trustees’ meeting.
The trustees’ next meeting will take place April 23 at 6 p.m. and will be livestreamed, with a link available at springfieldtownship.us. Residents can submit comments on agenda items via email to afausset@springfieldtownship.us, with responses to be included in the next meeting.