GALENA — The Harlem Township Board of Trustees had a number of meetings the first quarter of 2024, and here are the highlights.
• At the organizational meeting on Jan. 3, outgoing Trustee David Jackson was presented a plaque of appreciation. The now-defunct Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) was given a spending limit of $2,000 for 2024.
• On Jan. 11, the trustees approved the township mileage as 23.265 miles of roads, down from 23.558 miles.
• Lauren Robinson of the Delaware Public Health District discussed solar eclipse planning and a grant that allows DPHD “to collect scrap tires from residents at no cost,” meeting minutes for Jan. 17 said. The trustees approved a 45-mph speed Limit for Montgomery Road between Center Village and South County Line roads. Resident Eloise Collier would have her 100th birthday March 9 in the Grange Hall.
• Among the items of business on Jan. 27 was discussion on an invitation to meet with local Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) officials “to talk about transportation needs in our part of Delaware County… related to Intel development,” minutes said. “We can share some updates on various projects planned in the township and the surrounding area (primarily roundabout intersection improvements) and long-term planning efforts along S.R. 37, as well as listen to what the Township has identified as needs.”
• A special trustee meeting was held on Feb. 14, where the trustees approved the issuing of zoning permits (at a cost of $100) for roof-mounted solar panels.
• Members of the SPC spoke at the Feb. 21 meeting. Consultant Holly Mattei told the trustees, “We are looking at all the different possibilities for how we can partner with surrounding communities. As we have said from day one, this is something that Harlem Township cannot do on their own. So, we have started the process of seeking who may be potential partners for Harlem Township. The Strategic Planning Committee has decided it is now our intent to now focus primarily on the City of Westerville as a potential strategic partner.”
• In a special meeting on Feb. 29, the trustees approved sending a letter to residents regarding the potential option of a merger between Harlem Township and Westerville, to be decided by residents of each community in the November General Election. Much discussion followed. Some comments included: “We are all trying to stop piecemealing of the township … We discussed possibilities, looked at how others have handled growth and asked for a non-annexation agreement, and the responses we received were not favorable for the Township… I think this board took a proactive approach in trying to protect the township… due to other townships got ate up by annexation so quickly what was left of the township was a small island… Westerville is sort of land locked so this is an opportunity for them as well as for us to get a strategic partner that will help us with our defense… I can hear bull dozers from Columbus working now. If we don’t do something, then Columbus will get us. Columbus has much higher taxes than Westerville… Get all the information, in every negotiation there is a give and take. Please be open minded…”
• At another special meeting on March 5, ODOT officials Jacque Annarino, Doug Riedel and Anthony Turowski, along with Rob Riley from the Delaware County Engineers Office gave road project updates. Topics of discussion included traffic blocking the fire station entrance, State Route 37, and future roundabouts on Center Village Road. There was also legal action taken against two people “for operating a commercial business in a residential only area.”
• The Gazette has previously reported on the trustee meetings of March 20 and March 25. An executive session was held in a special meeting on April 3.
At the time of these meetings, the trustees were Dave Jackson, Vice Chair Matt Jaeger, and Chair Carl Richison. Also present are Fiscal Officer Lisa Hursey, Administrative Assistant Kendra Borror, Fire Chief Thomas O’Brien, Assistant Fire Chief Michael W. McKeen, Director of Zoning and Development Mike Cannon, Otis Bandy III of Maintenance. They meet third Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
Assistant Editor Gary Budzak photographs and reports on stories in eastern Delaware County and surrounding areas. He can be reached at 740-413-0906.
