Trustee reviews NOPEC funded projects, looks ahead
by Dan Holland
Oct. 15 township trustees meeting
Sagamore Hills Township Trustee David DePasquale reviewed energy-efficient projects completed in the township funded by NOPEC grants. He also noted additional projects he would like to see completed with remaining and incoming funds.
The township recently received a $28,600 reimbursement check to cover the cost of two new 98% efficient HVAC units installed in the township building last summer. The NOPEC grants also covered the cost of installing a backup generator in all township buildings.
“We used a NOPEC grant to update the heating in the township building on both sides,” said DePasquale. “We also replaced all the roofs on the bathrooms and pavilions, sided the pavilions and painted the concessions stands at Sagamore Hills Park.”
DePasquale said he would like to see remaining and future NOPEC grant funds used to refurbish the interior and exterior of the police garage. “We want to side the exterior, then clean up the inside, insulate it and make it into more of a usable and workable space for our police department,” he said. “We’re going to brighten it up with some new lighting, … update heating and electrical and possibly add a new locker room.”
The township was reimbursed for a roof replacement project on the township administration and police building a few years back that cost approximately $14,000, DePasquale noted.
“We weren’t aware that the NOPEC grants covered roofing,” DePasquale said, adding that at the time, Sagamore Hills paid for the roofs up front. “But when we learned we could use the grant for roofing, they allowed us to reimburse ourselves for what we had already spent on that project.”
The NOPEC program has allowed the township to complete projects that might have otherwise been put on hold due to cost.
“When NOPEC began allowing these grants, it provided us with money to do building improvements,” DePasquale said. “It’s not as if these building improvements are absolutely necessary do-or-die type of improvements, but it has allowed us to add necessary items like a generator to all of our public buildings. By having those funds available, we are able to go ahead and make all of those improvements.”
In addition to improvements to the police garage, future funds may be used to purchase an electric vehicle. “Two years ago, we were contemplating purchasing an electric truck, but at that time, NOPEC said it [grants] couldn’t be used for that purpose,” said DePasquale. “But I think I recently read that the grants can now be used for an electric vehicle. If that’s the case, we may consider doing that, along with a rapid charger, and possibly an electric township car that we could use for running to meetings.”
In other business, trustees approved:
- A resolution to approve the sanitary lateral connection and septic system abandonment project at Sagamore Hills Park. The township contracted Nicks of Northfield to perform the work for $41,060.
- A $10,011 then-and-now certificate to the Summit County Department of Sanitary Sewer Services for a tap-in fee for a lateral sewer connection in Sagamore Hills Park.
- A then-and-now certificate for $10,382 to Carpet Country Inc. for new flooring in the township building meeting hall and administrative offices.
- A resolution to continue to receive and expend all OneOhio national opioid settlement funds. ∞