ROAD REPAIRS … From left, Fiscal Officer Courtny Osborn, Trustees Bert Brown, Don Imm and Mark Trausch as well as Paul Green prioritize upcoming projects.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
All three Florence Township Trustees, Bert Brown, Don Imm and Mark Trausch, were present for the meeting held on Tuesday, May 5. Also attending were Fiscal Officer Courtny Osborn, Paul Green, Florence Township Fire Chief Allyn Luce and Dan Ankney.
The meeting was called to order promptly at 6 p.m. and began with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Fire Chief Allyn Luce got straight into business, updating the trustees on all things Fire Department related.
Luce began with updates to equipment purchased through the Small County Volunteer Fire Department Grant. The department has purchased gas monitors, which include monitoring for hydrogen cyanide, and noted Osborn would probably be seeing the invoice.
Still to be purchased are coats, pants, gloves and hoods. Luce also noted they did not receive the State Fire Marshal’s grant that had been applied for, but several other grants have recently opened up, and he intends to apply for them.
Luce then moved into discussion on the recent FDIC in Indianapolis. He has solicited quotes for new wire rescue equipment for two out of six sets. He hoped to be able to purchase it with association funds.
Mutual aid was the next topic, which has been a popular item since the recent Pioneer Fire Department walkout. Luce assured they would continue to provide mutual aid as they always have and received word from the small remaining Pioneer department stating they would also provide aid when possible.
Chief Doug Pool of the Bryan Fire Department also presented at the chiefs meeting copies of the 1981 mutual aid agreement and the more recent auto aid agreement.
The Deputy Chief from the State Fire Marshal visited recently to discuss certifications for driver operator training and exterior fire support training.
Both would be a 36-hour course and treated similarly to the volunteer course. The questions still remain on how to certify as two certifications cannot be held simultaneously.
Brown asked about the related health screening. Luce stated at the volunteer level a standard physician physical is sufficient.
As the scale moved to Firefighter 1 and higher, an upgraded physical would be required, but the details have not been finalized yet.
Recently, the department held an officers meeting to discuss several items, first bringing the recent low-volume runs from April consisting of two, one being a structure fire.
Luce noted this is slower than normal. Luce updated the trustees on recent officer appointments. For some background, the potential officers were required to take a written test and interview process.
Two were selected to be promoted to lieutenant status, with a term of two and a half years. Also promoted was a sitting lieutenant to safety officer which Luce feels is a highly needed position to monitor on-scene conditions outside of direct fire engagement.
Luce briefly touched on the burn ban, which has not been enforced due to the recent influx of rain. However, in dry conditions, this can become an issue and will be monitored as required.
On one last note, Luce was asked about using the fire station as a voting place after the recent election and wanted to inform the trustees as it would be their decision.
ROAD AND EQUIPMENT
Green then reported several updates regarding road repair and equipment. A new instrument panel for the tractor was priced at $822.25.
Currently several gauges are not operational. The trustees agreed it was a good option and verified Green could do the upgrade work.
Before jumping into road repair, Green noted the following day he would be participating in an 811 class, as long as the trustees were in agreement.
He was not sure if it was required, but the class would last approximately two hours and was being held in town so no travel was required.
Moving along, Green updated on several road repair projects slated for the upcoming summer season.
Currently some cold patching projects are in progress, and Green noted the price at $95 per ton. Chip and seal material prices were $26 per ton for pea gravel, which Green noted was of good quality, and eight stone, which is crushed limestone priced at $34 per ton. Green warned this is at current fuel prices. For 750 tons, the estimated amount required, the total would be $19,000.
The main road topics were County Road 4 and the State Line. The trustees discussed several options including cold patching, dura patching, paving and getting the county engineer involved.
Brown had already reached out but did not receive a response. Between both locations, it was determined to stick with the 750 tons of pea gravel and additional purchase of sixes, which is another size of crushed stone.
With the levy money of $192,000, the paving of County Road 4 could be completed as well as three miles of chip and seal.
Osborn noted that according to the Ohio Township Association, if the estimated cost of the project does not exceed the statutory threshold of $114,440 total or $38,147 per mile, bids are not required.
The proposed projects would fall under both thresholds, meaning the township does not have to use a bidding contract.
The discussion then turned to recent outside contract work done in the township, mainly fiber-optic work and some recent work done by Toledo Edison.
Both left what was described as a mess at several locations. Trausch informed the group that he had already been in contact with Toledo Edison, and it got somewhat heated.
Brown offered to contact them again to see if he could make some headway on cleanup efforts.
Green closed with a request to try to obtain a manual for the newly purchased dump truck as there were no manuals with the vehicle.
Trausch contacted the dealer, who was going to follow up with the previous owner. Green also noted that a previous discussion about removing or switching the plow was not ideal, but he could switch the cutting edge.
Lastly, Osborn was asked if she received an invoice from Team Driveaway, which was involved with the purchase and delivery of the truck. She had not.
FINAL ITEMS
A few remaining items were cleared up before adjournment, while the trustees signed the required documents.
Trausch presented prices from Best One Tire for six tires in total with two front tires being $170 apiece totaling $340.
The four back tires were quoted at $175 apiece totaling $700. With mounting and balancing at $55 per tire, the total came to $1,370, which the trustees agreed to. They would also inquire about having the vehicle aligned while there.
Imm, while on the subject of tires, asked how much the other had sold for at auction.
Brown reported approximately $50 to $60 apiece, stating that they were an uncommon size larger than most would use.
Both Imm and Osborn reported they would be absent at the next meeting, scheduled for May 19. Brown and Trausch agreed they would proceed with the meeting regardless.
The meeting minutes were approved by all trustees prior to adjournment. Trausch then made the motion to adjourn and Brown seconded. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
