Trustees commit portion of ARPA funds toward purchase of chipper

by Dan Holland

May 5 virtual township trustees meeting

Richfield Township Trustees passed a resolution authorizing spending $20,000 from its federal COVID relief funds to purchase a Vermeer brush chipper from Richfield Joint Recreation District. The township received $131,148 in federal COVID relief funds through the American Rescue Plan Act in September 2021 and will receive a second payment for the same amount later this year. Trustees had discussed possible uses for the funds during their two previous meetings.

“[RJRD] originally purchased the chipper for just under $30,000, and [township administrator] Mindy [Lott] did some research to find that $20,000 seems to be the current value of this piece of equipment. So, I think it’s a really good acquisition for us,” explained Trustee Don Laubacher, who serves as liaison to RJRD. “They don’t need it there very often, if ever, but we told them that it would be available for their use if they ever need it just as a gesture of cooperation and friendship.”

The township recently used the chipper during the first week of May during chipping week.

“It’s a heavy piece of equipment and it could potentially be dangerous, as they do a lot of work with volunteers at RJRD. So, it just didn’t work out for what they originally thought they would use it for. Since they needed the money and we needed a chipper, it worked out well for both of us,” explained Lott by phone.

Roads

Trustee Robert Luther said he viewed recent paving work in the Kings Forest subdivision and was pleased with the results so far. Barbicas Construction Company is doing the work.

 “They have to let it set for a week or so before they put the final coat on,” said Luther. “I hope the people appreciate that and realize that it takes time for these projects. Rain can hold these things up as well as help and other factors. But it looks really good.”

The trustees approved payment of $37,711 to Chagrin Valley Paving for partial depth repairs performed as phase one of work done in the subdivision in 2021. The amount was reduced from an original bid of $48,900.

“They [Chagrin Valley Paving] had to come back out a second time, and it was done really late in the season,” said Lott. She added that Summit County reviewed the invoice and made the adjustment on the township’s behalf.

Levy

Trustee chair Janet Jankura thanked voters for passing Issue 18, a roads and bridges levy on the May 3 ballot that consisted of a renewal and decrease from 3.3 mills to 3.0 mills. The issue passed with nearly 70% support.

“That helps us to be able to continue to provide excellent service for the community in terms of everything that the service department does in terms of roads and culverts and plowing,” said Jankura. “So, thank you to all of the residents who came out and supported that.”

In other business, the trustees:

  • Requested engineering services from the Summit County Engineer’s Office to evaluate water drainage on Hecker Drive, Stubbins Road and Farnham Road.
  • Approved payment of $830 to Sedgwick to represent the township as a third-party administrator for the state worker’s compensation program.
  • Approved payment of $2,550 to Cardinal Asphalt for crack filling, sealing and striping of the administration building parking area.  
  • Approved payment of $5,107 to the Summit County Engineer’s Office for first quarter fuel usage by township service vehicles.
  • Approved payment of $4,359 for the annual renewal of the township wellness program through Cleveland Clinic Akron General LifeStyles. The program is available to elected officials, township employees and their families.
  • Approved an interfund transfer of $2,515 from the general fund to the garbage & waste disposal fund to amend the recording of the 2021 receipt of the Reworks Community Access Recycling Grant fund. ∞