Berlin Township’s trustees meet often, and here’s a recap of highlights from some of those meetings.
• The trustees agreed to a “blend and extend” option for electric and natural gas aggregation from vendor Trebel EE&GA on March 11.
• A special meeting took place March 19, where the trustees approved an assistance agreement with Orange Township, and the use of chippers and dumpsters.
“There was a severe weather event which resulted in significant property damage in the township during the evening of Thursday, March 14, 2024,” meeting minutes said. “In response, Orange Township helped, and offers to continue to help, with cleanup and repair. The prosecutor drafted and submitted to the Trustees a draft of a proposed agreement, governing the terms thereof. The Trustees discussed the agreement and proposed amendments.”
• The special meeting resumed March 22, with an overview of the damage to the township and insurance coverage, including the township hall roof and siding.
• Brandon Mosher was hired as assistant fire chief at the regular trustees meeting on March 25. He was named fire chief later in the year. Money from the road fund was used to purchase a brush chipper. Despite the recent weather event, the Fire Department said they were ready for the upcoming Easter Egg hunt as scheduled.
• Two more special meetings took place on March 27 and April 5. At the first meeting, it was said the township may rent two dumpsters, to be placed at the fire station. At the second meeting, it was agreed to get a tarp to cover to prevent a roof leak in the west end of the township hall.
• On April 8, the trustees approved a resolution to conduct “a search for candidates for the position of Fire Chief.” Chief A.J. Miller resigned on April 30.
• Two special meetings took place April 10 and April 17. At the first, a proposed contract for roof repair was discussed and it was noted the original quote had been changed. On the second, a different company’s contract was approved for the roof repair.
• The trustees approved $323,580.73 for the 2024 Road Improvement Program on April 22. There was also discussion on the widening of Cheshire Road, as well as the AEP wire towers that collapsed on Cheshire Road during the March 14 storm. The trustees approved a Request for Engineering Assistance (REA) “for a speed limit study for the entirety of the Village of Cheshire.”
• Township Administrator interviews took place on May 13. Discussion items included the Dale Ford Road bike path, which is complete and paved.
• At a special meeting on May 20, the trustees were to “discuss, consider, and take action regarding legal representation in Board of Zoning Appeals appeal case in Common Pleas Court,” minutes said.
• There was a presentation on the progress of Evans Farm at the May 28 meeting. Jennifer Goshia was hired as township operations specialist. The County Engineer’s Office received “the REA and recommends the establishment of 25 mph speed limits for Charles, East, Ford, and Winter streets in Cheshire.” The trustees approved the speed and “concluded the matter need not go through the Ohio Department of Transportation.”
Among Fire Department items, it was determined the fire station’s foundation is settling “forcing sewer gas up into the station” and causing odor issues. “Chief Mosher believes that the required solution involves bringing in engineers to tear up, redesign, and rebuild the foundation,” minutes said. The trustees think “the old school location is under the station.” The trustees agreed to renew the fire levy.
• Two candidates for the Administrator position were interviewed at a special meeting on June 7.
• In the June 10 meeting, it was noted “there is a parcel near the southeast corner of Africa Road and U.S. Route 36/S.R. 37 that has already been annexed to Sunbury and will be developed for apartments,” minutes said. There was discussion of the addition of types of businesses that could go into the township’s business park.
• Special meetings took place on June 12 and June 24. On June 12, Levi Koehler was hired as zoning inspector, and Jerry Valentine as assistant zoning inspector. Three candidates were interviewed for the Fire Department on June 24.
• The agenda of the July 8 meeting included a ditch petition for Evergreen Cemetery.
• A continuance of a hearing for the Oak Park subdivision revisions took place on July 22 and Aug. 12.
• The agenda of a special meeting on July 31 included repair of the heating/ventilation/air-conditioning system in the township hall.
The Berlin Township Trustees are Chair Ron Bullard, Ken O’Brien and Meghan Raehll. Officers include Fiscal Officer Jeff Jordan and Assistant Fiscal Officer Claudia Smith.
Assistant Editor Gary Budzak photographs and reports on stories in eastern Delaware County and surrounding areas. He can be reached at 740-413-0906.
