Trustees expand 2023 roads program

by Dan Holland

Feb. 2 township trustees meeting

Richfield Township Trustees approved an amendment to a resolution passed in January to participate in the 2023 Summit County paving program, increasing the total amount by $300,000 so as not to exceed $700,000. Of that total, $100,000 of 2021-2022 American Rescue Plan Act funds will be used. The township will have a remaining balance of $79,000 in ARPA funds.

The $300,000 will allow for additional streets in the Glencairn Forest subdivision to be added to the paving list. Robert Burns Drive, McCrea Lane and Crawford Drive will be added to the previously approved list of Glencairn Forest Drive, Shetland Trail, Sky Ridge Drive, Highland Circle, Muirwood Drive, Turnbury Drive, Douglas Drive, and MacDonald Circle.

“Robert Burns Drive seems to be about the worst of the roads back there, so I would really like to include that road,” said Trustee Vice-Chair Don Laubacher. “And if you pave that road, it makes sense to do the little spurs that run off it.”

During the Jan. 12 trustees meeting, Laubacher had brought up the option of applying for a zero-interest loan from the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) to possibly pave the entire subdivision all at once and paying back the loan over five years. Trustees had previously agreed to pave approximately one mile or less each year in the subdivision, which contains slightly less than five total miles of roadway.

“But one of the problems with [applying for the loan] is that we are now in the process of pursuing a Local Transportation Improvement Program (LTIP) grant, which is also through the OPWC,” explained Laubacher. He added it might jeopardize the township’s chances of receiving the transportation grant if they also apply for the loan through the public works commission.

If received, the $150,000 LTIP grant, would provide funding to address drainage/stormwater issues along Hecker Drive, and Stubbins and Farnham roads.

The trustees did not apply for the loan according to Mindy Lott, township administrator.

In other business, the trustees:

  • Passed a motion approving Holly Price to fill a vacated seat on the Richfield Joint Recreation District Board, with the term expiring Dec. 31, 2023.
  • Approved payment of $6,432 to Imperial Truck Services for repairs on three service department vehicles.
  • Authorized an application for a Reworks Community Recycling Access Grant.
  • Authorized acceptance of a Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council 2023 Energized Community Grant to go toward the cost of installing a backup generator for the township administrative building.
  • Modified a purchase order with Broadview Heating & Air Conditioning to use $1,311 in NOPEC grant funds toward the purchase cost of $29,098 for the back-up generator.
  • Passed a motion to discontinue AFI Sweeps to the township banking account through Huntington Bank. “We’re in the wrong product right now, as we’re paying more in fees than we should be,” explained Lott. “This action should at least alleviate the fees, and then we’ll be looking into some other investment options.” ∞