By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The Florence Township Trustees met in regular session on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at the township hall.
Florence Township Fire Chief Allyn Luce reported the department had responded to 45 fire calls this year; nine of those calls occurred in July.
However, Luce addressed trustees regarding one of the calls involving the Ohio Turnpike already this month as part of the contract between the township and the turnpike.
Luce said it wasn’t a huge deal, but he questioned whether the fire department should continue responding to building elevator issues at the Westgate entrance of the Ohio Turnpike.
“If there is a car or ditch fire, accident or hazardous material scene like a construction accident, it doesn’t qualify if you look at it,” Luce said.
Trustee Don Imm said if it is not an emergency, the Ohio Turnpike shouldn’t be calling 911. Luce mentioned the fire department is currently providing contracted emergency services with the Ohio Turnpike.
“If it’s not an emergency, one of their (Ohio Turnpike) maintenance people could go down and take care of it and not call the fire department,” said the fire chief.
Imm felt that the fire department needed to contact the Ohio Turnpike and inform them if there is a problem with their building elevators; employees should notify their own maintenance department.
Township Maintenance Supervisor Paul Green reported he had replaced the plugs on the extension cord on the durapatcher. Luckily, he noted, there wasn’t a fire involved.
Green also heard from Ward Construction of Leipsic regarding the chip-and-seal work schedule. He said hopefully they will be doing work in the township sometime this month. A three-mile stretch of County Road 1 is scheduled to be done.
Other Business
-Trustees were reminded of the upcoming countywide tractor tire recycling event scheduled for this fall.
-Fiscal Officer Courtny Osborn reported the township financial audit is almost done.
-Approved the minutes of the July 20 meeting and the payment of bills.
-Received the 2027 estimated tax revenue from the county auditor. Osborn said it was the same amount as last year.
With no further action, the meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m. Next meeting will be on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 6 p.m. at the township hall.
