PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
CEMETERY RULES … Springfield Township held its regular meeting on Wednesday, July 15, discussing the new rules and regulations of the three township cemeteries. From left are Road Supervisor Mike Short and Trustees Eric Creighton and Steve Planson.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
Springfield Township Trustees met in a regular session on Wednesday, July 15, at the township office.
Roll call followed with trustees Steve Planson, Ed Ruffer and Eric Creighton present. Also present were Fiscal Officer Patti Rosebrock, Road Supervisor Mike Short and Zoning Inspector Todd Burkholder.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Rosebrock then read the minutes of the July 1, 2026, meeting, which were approved. Approval was also given for the payment of bills.
Trustees then reviewed the rules and regulations for the three township cemeteries, French, Zion and Boynton, which are owned and maintained by Springfield Township.
It was noted that Creighton, Planson and Ruffer will sell burial rights to the above-mentioned cemeteries.
Grave sites will be purchased as individual sites for $500 per individual site, an increase from $250 per lot at the July 1, 2026, monthly trustee meeting.
The trustees highlighted the following rules for all township cemeteries:
-No admittance between sunset and sunrise.
-No alcoholic beverages.
-Flowers no further than six inches from monument base.
-All artificial flowers will be removed once a year before April 1.
-All vehicles must use provided driveways only.
Violations of any of these rules and regulations may result in prosecution.
Township Zoning Inspector Todd Burkholder reported he received a conditional use permit application from Jan and Daniel Martinez and Alexa Sanchez for a nail/hair and body art salon.
He also issued a zoning permit for a township resident to construct an accessory building and approved an 8.60-acre parcel for another township resident.
Rosebrock addressed the trustees regarding a $40,000 certificate of deposit for roads and bridges which is due on July 29 and requested that it be renewed.
She added that the current interest rate on the certificate of deposit is 3.64% and wanted to see if she’s able to obtain the best interest rate available.
Other Business
With the pending retirement of Road Supervisor Mike Short at the end of 2027, Creighton spoke of Short’s future and the conversations the trustees had about the job description.
“Obviously the snow removal is something I think is really important, that we have you mentor someone on and how you feel that looks in 2026 versus 2027,” Creighton said.
Short responded that if the township can get someone hired to start in 2027, it will get them started in the winter months.
“There are going to be some times probably toward the end of the year (2027) that I will take off because I’ll have some sick time left that I could use,” Short commented.
Ruffer said if the township hires someone at the beginning of 2027, then they will have them for the whole year, but didn’t know if the township would’ve wanted that.
Short then added, “I’ve already figured it out that whenever you hire somebody come November (2027), I’m going to at least get them in the plow truck, have the plow hooked up, have a load on it and have them run the route, not putting the plow down, just driving around.
“It’s going to be an educational run without plowing snow. For them knowing where they’re going next will be a benefit.”
The meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m. The next meeting will be Wednesday, August 5, at 7:30 p.m.
PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
CEMETERY RULES … Springfield Township held its regular meeting on Wednesday, July 15, discussing the new rules and regulations of the three township cemeteries. From left are Road Supervisor Mike Short and Trustees Eric Creighton and Steve Planson.
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES
Township Sets Rules & Regulations For Cemeteries