PHOTOS BY BRIANNA BALOGH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
FARM REGULATIONS … Visiting Trustee Mary Gniewkowski (standing) from Northwest Township presented a resolution to the board from Lake Erie Waterkeeper seeking to impose stricter regulations on cattle farms.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Florence Township Trustees met on Tuesday, August 18, to discuss topics from lake algae to sandblasting. The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m., and all trustees were in attendance.
Also attending were Fiscal Officer Courtny Osborn, Fire Chief Allyn Luce, Assistant Fire Chief and Edon Village Council Member Dan Ankey, Roadman Paul Green, and visiting trustee Mary Gniewkowski from Northwest Township.
PROPOSED FARM RESOLUTION
After the Pledge of Allegiance, Trustee Bert Brown invited Gniewkowski to speak. She reported that she attended a Lake Erie Waterkeeper meeting where a proposed resolution was presented.
The measure would impose stricter requirements on farms — similar to regulations in Indiana — including reporting exact cattle numbers, detailed fertilizing schedules, and other rigid restrictions. The group believes such measures would help reduce Lake Erie’s algae problems.
Gniewkowski said the proposal felt directly aimed at Williams County, particularly Schmucker Farms.
Because the farm is located in Florence Township, she felt township officials needed to be informed immediately. Gniewkowski clarified the township is under no obligation to pass the resolution.
Brown, drawing on his experience as an elected soil and water official, noted that the township has no jurisdiction over agricultural regulation, which is determined at the state level.
He also cautioned that adopting such a resolution could expose the township to potential legal challenges.
Trustees Mark Trausch and Don Imm agreed with Brown’s assessment. Gniewkowski added that she felt other contributing factors to algae issues were not being addressed, but emphasized that she made clear to the director that she was not speaking on behalf of Northwest Township or any other township.
FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATE
The meeting then moved on to fire department updates, presented by Chief Luce. Luce provided a follow-up from the previous meeting, stating he has communicated with a representative from the turnpike to facilitate elevator training.
He also noted the contract language which restricts call response for mutual aid. The turnpike representative said they would need to consult legal counsel.
Annual SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) training will take place September 1, with Luce noting he believed last year’s cost was around $3,861. Pump testing will also be upcoming in Bryan on September 17.
Luce highlighted the recent breakfast hosted by the department, with around 500 attendees. He also noted that hydrant flushing will take place in September and asked Ankey to follow up on potential flow testing at the same time.
Training would also take place at a residential home owned by the V-Rod company, by the baseball fields in town. Luce reported that V-Rod would continue to let the home be used as long as a liability waiver was signed.
Luce concluded his report by noting the repair work on Engine 41 has been completed.
ROAD AND EQUIPMENT UPDATE
Green was next, providing several road and equipment updates. Durapatching projects throughout the township are near completion.
On equipment, Green had obtained a quote for sandblasting, epoxy coating and painting of the dump truck from the cab to the end of the bed.
The cost would be between $4,000 and $5,000. Osborn confirmed the funds were available. Green noted the truck may also require tires before winter, adding another potential $2,000.
After some discussion, the trustees agreed on the sandblasting project. They also agreed to individually research value comparisons for the old dump truck planned to be sold, which could recoup some cost as well.
Green concluded with a discussion with the trustees on his future retirement, ironing out some specific details surrounding vacation and sick pay.
FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT
Osborn had a few items to present. First was the recently passed cemetery resolution — the Board of Elections did not accept the resolution and changed some minor items.
Trausch moved to approve the revised resolution, with a second from Imm. All trustees approved, passing the resolution.
Next was the budget commission, which must be returned by October 1; the trustees can accept the tax revenue for the following year. Brown asked about a year-to-year comparison.
While she did not compare directly, Osborn noted none of the figures were glaringly different. Imm moved to approve and Trausch seconded. The motion passed.
Osborn concluded with the completion and report from the state audit. The audit was mostly positive, with a few minor corrections.
Osborn had to make some adjustments to where funds were located, moving from the general fund to the capital improvement fund.
It was also noted that two previous short-term employees — one for only two weeks — did not complete the video fraud screening; Osborn noted this for next time. The next audit will be in two years.
While finishing up signing checks and documents, Brown noted he was called about an alarm at the station. It turned out the fire hood was being tested, but the alarm company was not able to be reached.
Brown also noted he was approached by a volunteer to repaint the yellow parking line at the station if the township could purchase the paint. The trustees agreed.
Before adjournment, Trausch moved to approve the previous meeting minutes with a second from Imm. Imm then moved to adjourn with a second from Trausch.
With approval from Brown, the meeting adjourned at 7:09 p.m. The next meeting will be held Tuesday, September 1.
Story updated August 24, 2026 at 9:31 a.m.