At the Concord Township Trustees meeting on April 8, 2014, the trustees opened the floor to township residents for comments. Scotty Cox of Woodlawn Dr. told the trustees that several of the houses on the street do not have culverts. As a result, the water backs up into his and several neighbors' yards. The homes were built in the late 60s.
He requested that the township install culverts to allow the water to funnel through the culverts and into the creek. Bill Whidden, Trustee, told him that, "since the culverts that need to be installed are on private property , the township has no responsibility for them." Mr. Cox indicated that he had talked to two of the three neighbors and they were willing to purchase the culverts themselves, but did not have the equipment not the expertise to install them. Mr. Whidden asked Neal Rhoades, Road Superintendent, if he believed that the culverts would correct the problem. Mr. Rhoades replied, 'There is a slanting grade to the road. The addition of the culverts is a reasonable solution to the problem." The trustees requested that Mr. Cox get agreement from the remaining neighbor. Mr. Whidden said, "We are willing to work with you, if you are willing to buy the culverts
In addition, Phyllis Moore of Greenbriar Drive requested that the trustees consider a resolution that prohibits parking on the street., She said, "because of all of the vehicles parked on the street during the winter, the snow plows can't clean or salt the streets properly." Also, she can't back out of her driveway because vehicles block her view and are in the way of backing onto the street. In particular, one high-rider pickup truck with huge tires has been sitting in the same location all winter. The owner has moved it twice when asked. Once. so that Moore could get out of her driveway and once because the truck was blocking a neighbor's mailbox and the mail person could not deliver mail. Mr. Whidden noted that the township, "had recently passed an ordinance that prevents commercial vehicles from parking on the street; however, private vehicles have right to park on any public street." Nevertheless, Don Pence, Trustee, agree that, "the situation needs to be investigated." He will explore similar ordinances for similar residential areas.
The last guest to share her comments was Jeannette Pratt, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Miami County. She shared that she is running for Common Pleas Court Judge for Miami County on the Republican ticket in the May 6, 2014 primary. She has 20 years experience as an attorney and 13 years experience as the Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Miami County.
In other business, Pat Quillen, Fiscal Officer, reported on her research into reducing energy costs for the township. She recommended that the township join the City of Troy's Aggregation Program. The current cost with DP&L is 6.7/kilowatt. However, if the township joins the Aggregation Program, the cost would drop to 5.26/kilowatt with First Energy. The only restriction is that the township could not exceed 700,000 kilowatts per year. According to Ms. Quillen, "we come nowhere close to using that amount." Ms Quillen recommended that they start using First Energy after May 2014 reading. The trustees agreed.
Also, Ms. Quillen contacted Vectren, now called Direct Energy Services, regarding the natural gas contract. At this point, the quoted cost was higher than the previous contract. Ms. Quillen recommended that since the township does not use any gas during the summer months, that they hold off signing the contract until late summer. She said, "I will contact them in late September, early October to try for a better price."
During the Road Superintendent's Report, Neil Rhoades stated that he had received an email from Cindy Bach, Miami County Solid Waste Coordinator, asking the township if they had a disaster recovery plan for debris removal in the case of a natural disaster. Don Pence asked, "Is she suggesting we develop an emergency plan?" Bill Whidden indicated that he was not sure what she wanted. Mr. Pence agreed to contact Ms. Bach to get clarification and additional information before taking any action.
In addition, Mr. Rhoades received a call from a township resident regarding trash recycling. The resident's complaint was that the current recycling bins have no lids. During wind storms, the recycling materials are blown onto adjoining properties and into storm sewers and rivers. The resident asked that the township consider recycling bins with lids to prevent the problem. Mr. Pence volunteered, "I will investigate and township and city will work together to try and get something done."
Mr. Rhoades also reported that a new catch basin is needed on Forest Hill. The catch basin will cost between $200 to $300., The road crew plans to reuse the current grate. Mr. Rhoades said, "the biggest cost will be time.", Ms. Quillen said that "the township needs to set up a force account for project's such as this one." A force account is needed by any public office, using the office’s own labor, material, and equipment for projects that are expected to cost less than $25,000. The account provides accountability for estimating costs for projects. In addition, it gives public entities access to private bidders work estimates to see if a private company can do it cheaper than the public.
Moreover, Mr. Rhoades was notified by B & R Mulch, the company the township hires to remove brush, has added a $5 Environmental Protection Agency charge for each truck load of brush.
The road department also needs to purchase crack sealant for road repairs this summer. The cost is .50707 per pound and the department will need approximately 10,000 pounds.
In old business, Mr. Whidden, Trustee, reported on the Rumpke Trash Collection Contract. Currently, the trash is picked up once a week at a cost of $91.69 per month. Mr. Whidden said, "I believe we can drop down to every other week." For this service Rumpke will charge the township $55/month. Mr. Whidden also received an estimate from Waste Management for every other week service at a cost of $78/month. Mr. Whidden recommended, "that we agree to a three-year contract with Rumpke for every other week service.
In other news, Warren Davidson of West Troy Tool who currently leases office space at 2678 West State Route 718, Troy, the old township building, requested a renewal of his current lease. He pays $800/month, $9600/yearly. Mr. Davidson has recently installed a new water heater, furnace, hardwood flooring and air condition at his own expense. The trustees agreed to renew the lease for one year. However, Mr. Pence said, "I would like to have our name taken off the building." Mr. Whidden agreed, "this facility is no longer our identity." Mr. Rhoades will see that the name is removed.
Lastly, Sarah Hippensteel of Miami Conservancy District requested information for Concord Township Parks that are along the river. The Conservancy District wants to expand the information on their website about parks that border the districts rivers. She provided a questionnaire and volunteered to write the narrative description if the township does not currently have the description. Mr. Rhoades will complete the questionnaire and send it to the Conservancy District.
