By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Gorham Township Trustees held their meeting on Monday, May 4, 2026. The meeting was called to order by Trustee Brian Towers, with trustees Eliott Richardson and Jeff Martin present, along with Fiscal Officer Lauren Lester, Fire Chief Tom Franks and maintenance worker Tyler Miller. Minutes from the April 20 and May 1 meetings were read and approved, and trustees approved all warrants and payroll as lawful obligations of the township, with payments totaling $23,538.04.
Trustees then reviewed purchase orders before hearing from Miller regarding township maintenance work. Miller reported that Gerken Materials had delivered a second load of grindings, and that salt had also been delivered. He said he had been mowing roadsides and township properties, working on the flatbed, cleaning catch basin drains and spraying those areas.
Miller also reported that several catch basin tops need repaired or replaced, including some concrete tops that are badly broken. He said notes are being made on the areas needing work, with some pieces possibly requiring custom work. He also noted that Charter Spectrum has been laying fiber optic line and leaving messes around township roads.
Following that discussion, trustees approved moving forward with replacement of culverts, culvert tops, catch basins and related work for the Road R project. The motion also allows the township to begin addressing the worst problem areas throughout the township, using Fred H. Gerken out of Napoleon for custom work. The project will be paid from Fund 2031 and or Fund 2021.
Chief Franks then reported that an EMT class began that evening at the fire station and will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays. He also said the department’s LED stop and slow traffic signs had arrived, along with the new smaller SCBA tanks from Atlantic. The department is waiting for reflective GFFD stickers before placing the tanks into service. Franks also noted that a door handle for Truck 303 remains on back order, and that a mock tornado drill was scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, at the Fayette School, with Road R to be closed during the drill.
Trustee Martin reported that he had visited the engineer’s office regarding the Ritter Solar Field project. He said it remains unclear what drainage and tile replacement will look like across fields, and that no one had heard from Ritter Solar regarding road agreements.
Towers then reported that quotes had been received for work on Marzolf Lane from Ohio Asphalt Paving, Wards Construction and Bergman. Trustees reviewed the amounts and approved hiring a surveyor and tree trimmer for Marzolf Lane, with both services combined to remain under $10,000. They also approved hiring Wards Construction Co. for $46,367.40 to redo Marzolf Lane.
Lester then reviewed several fiscal officer items, including Resolution 2026-26 regarding the township purchase of real property. She also reported that letters were received from State Farm regarding accident damage involving Truck 301. Lester then said she had certified $198,131.95 required to meet the contract for Gerken Paving, Inc., with $318,195.10 estimated as the total village and township cost for the Road R OPWC project.
The township also received notice that its 2026 Ohio State Fire Marshal equipment grant request was denied. The April STAR Ohio statement showed $1,599.97 in interest earned, and Lester said the township audit continues and appears to be going well.
Trustees also approved maintaining wage withholdings as they currently are for the Village of Fayette and not offering courtesy town or village tax withholding. Before adjourning, trustees approved sending a warrant to Nancy Cooley for a $2,490 easement payment and reimbursing Martin $34 for filing an easement with the Fulton County Recorder’s Office. The meeting was then adjourned at 8:30 p.m.