By: Mario Gomez
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The German Township trustees met on Monday, Aug. 10 with members Brad Short, AJ Short, Jay Pursel and Fiscal Officer Jeff Coressel in attendance.
Josh Aeschliman, Bob Apger, Kyle Brodbeck and Dean Genter were also in attendance at the meeting.
LAPTOP DISCUSSION
The meeting began with Matt Towers from Innovatek Solutions giving a presentation on computers for the members.
The township has long been in the market for new laptop computers for its trustees and Towers was able to give them an update on what is available.
Towers brought three models of laptop that would be beneficial for the needs of the members.
One Dell laptop and two Lenovo laptops were brought to the trustees. After consideration, it was decided that one of the Lenovo laptops would work best for the needs of the township.
The only difference between the two Lenovo laptops is durability. “We don’t need anything that complex,” said AJ Short. “Emails between us and the county and being able to put our agenda together; just your standard capabilities.”
A 60-inch television will be going up on a wall in the township meeting room which will be used for presentations and for display of the meeting agenda which will eliminate the need to print the agenda.
The original quotes on the laptops given by Innovatek were done in May of this year meaning that a new quote will need to be accepted by the trustees before moving forward.
Towers will help the township set up a new email that will have an .org domain that will be used instead of the members’ personal email.
Towers assisted York Township with a similar issue so he is familiar with how to go about the change.
Talk about Artificial Intelligence cybercrime and how to secure the township was also discussed with Towers giving his recommendations on which way to go.
AFD REPORT
Incoming Archbold fire chief Brodbeck gave a report on the Archbold Fire Department’s 150th celebration. The weekend went off without any major issues and was attended by roughly 4,000 people.
Brodbeck commented that planning for the event began over a year and a half ago and really gained steam after the announcement of the group Girl Named Tom was made as the evening entertainment.
“Our social media page blew up after the announcement,” said Brodbeck. Brodbeck gave thanks to all that participated in the setup and clean up for the event which included the township members, street department employees, fire department members and the Archbold police department who took care of parking and traffic.
ZONING REPORT
Genter brought his zoning report to the trustees. He reported that he had a zoning application permit denied but that it will go to a board of appeals.
An investigation of storage containers found that permits will need to be applied for to be in compliance. After going out for a drive, Genter found some places that needed permits and gave out fines for unkept property.
CEMETERY REPORT
Apger, cemetery sexton, said he met with a few families who were looking to purchase plots. He assisted a person who was searching for a plot where a family member had been buried.
Apger reported the removal of stumps at Johnson Cemetery, gave receipts for the purchase of paint and made a request to clean up a historical marker at Wyse Cemetery which has overgrown brush making the marker hard to see.
MAINTENANCE REPORT
Aeschliman, road supervisor, received quotes from Twisted Limb for tree trimming and removal on County Road 25 and County Road 24 between D and E.
A tree growing over the road will need to be addressed. AJ Short made a motion to approve the quotes and Pursel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
The township shop was cleaned up and sprayed for weeds. Aeschliman said a crew was called out to Goll Woods to take care of two trees that were down.
There was maintenance that needed to be done on some machinery and vehicles. Corn stalks were trimmed down at a few intersections where it made visibility of cars difficult.
An email was received by Aeschliman that confirmed a sign grant and alerted the trustees that a cemetery grant for $5,000 could be applied for next year.
A bill was sent to Spectrum for damages that the township had to repair.
TRUSTEES REPORT
AJ Short provided an exhibit from Ridgeville Township on solar energy. Short remarked that they are setting the standards for residential solar only.
The reports that were provided are going to be studied by the trustees to dissect to be sure the direction they go will be beneficial for all. A more in depth discussion will take place at the next meeting after they all have been able to go through all the information provided.
A work session for Fulton County was attended by AJ Short and other area township trustees to discuss the Emergency Medical Services.
Pros and cons were discussed between the trustees with the issue being a running discussion between all of the Fulton County townships.