Trustees asked to look at dangerous intersections
Lawrence Township trustees are looking into possible remedies for dangerous intersections where County Road 103 meets state Route 212. This hillock at state Route 212 and Kerns Drive hinders visibility.
Don Ackerman, chairman of the Lawrence Township Board of Trustees, said he continues to receive calls about the lack of visibility after dark at the intersection of County Road 103 and state Route 212.
Ackerman said he spoke with county engineer Joe Bachman about possibly placing a street light at the intersection. Ackerman said he also is looking into possible solutions for the hillock on state Route 212 near Kerns Drive that has long caused visibility issues.
Trustee Mike Haueter said the owners of the Massarelli Baseball School sports complex on Arrowhead Drive in Wilkshire Hills have asked to use part of the township’s right of way to expand their parking lot. Trustees agreed to allow encroachment of approximately 20 feet.
Haueter also asked for no parking to corner signs to be erected at both ends of Arrowhead Road. He said parking along the road has not caused any problems to date but wanted to be sure cars do not block visibility at the intersections of state Route 212 or Wilkshire Boulevard.
Perry Myers, assistant road supervisor, said a gas line was accidentally broken during construction on Welton Road. Trustees agreed to reimburse Gus Ruetenik $2,060 for restoration of the line, pending submission of a receipt.
Zoning
Ron Weekley, zoning inspector, said a public hearing on zoning changes will be held Thursday, May 25 at 6:30 p.m. before the regular trustee meeting at 7 p.m. Copies of the new zoning code can be viewed at the Bolivar Library, the post office, the township office and online at www.lawrencetownship.org. Changes will go into effect 30 days after the hearing.
Public comments
David Irwin, a member of Zoar Village Council, thanked trustees for helping them with the expense of upgrading the severe weather siren and connecting it to the county dispatch service through 911. Irwin said the siren has been tested and is working and will be tested through 911 at noon monthly.
Cemetery issue
A mistake at the Fort Laurens Cemetery approximately 40 years ago has resulted in a lawsuit against Lawrence Township. Ackerman announced the development at the May 11 board meeting.
Gary Charton of New Philadelphia attended the March 30 township meeting to make the error known, saying two distant relatives were somehow buried with his father in the plot where his mother should eventually be interred. Charton asked the township to either provide a replacement plot in close proximity to where his father is or compensate the family at the current plot price.
Voting
Trustees approved purchasing 120 tons of leftover road salt from the county. The salt was being stored in the township’s salt shed. Chuck McNutt, road supervisor, said it would be more cost-effective to buy the salt than to move it. Trustees approved paying $25.61 for the salt.
Trustees also approved the following resolutions for the actual cost of materials purchased with ARPA funds:
—$868 for cement for Welton Road repairs.
—$1,996 for pipe for Welton repairs.
—$4,879 to have the county engineer perform berm work on Welton Road.
The above expenses had been approved previously by a voice vote, with a maximum cost stated. However, the federal government requires the township to pass a resolution once actual costs are incurred and bills are to be paid.
The Lawrence Township Board of Trustees meets the second and last Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Charles E. Lundenberger Hall, 10867 Industrial Parkway NW, Bolivar. All meetings are open to the public.