Friends asked to pay $10,000 for bridge evaluation

by Sue Serdinak

Aug. 10 Richfield Joint Recreation District board meeting

As the issue of the future of the swing bridge over the Kirby Mill dam in the Richfield Heritage Preserve continues, board Chair Anita Gantner and Park Director John Piepsny met with the engineering firm GFT. The firm has worked in the park in the past, and the Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve have specifically hired GFT to work on the dam and the mill. Piepsny was absent from this meeting.

Gantner reported to the Friends that GFT would evaluate the bridge at a cost of $10,000. Gantner asked the Friends to pay for the evaluation.

The Friends have paid for and managed all of the earlier work on the Kirby Mill and the mill wheel.

Lynn Richardson, chairperson for the Friends’ Kirby Mill project, said the Friends voted to pay for the study, but they wanted to be listed as the entity contracting for the services so that they would be included in all communications with GFT regarding the study of the dam and the bridge.

Gantner said she felt the park district must be the agency of record on the contract.

Board member Cindy Moore asked if both entities could be listed on the contract. Board member Mike Lyons said he thought it would be possible.

Board members Holly Price and Dave Wehner insisted that the park district must be listed as the client.

Richardson pointed out that in the past, when the Friends paid for projects, they were not included in communications, and significant problems arose from miscommunications.

After a lengthy debate, all agreed that the Friends would contact GFT to determine whether a contract could be drawn up to satisfy both the board and the Friends.

Pavilion

At the July board meeting, the Friends showed plans for a pavilion they would pay for and build near the mill. Two picnic tables could be placed in the 20-by-10-foot structure. A plaque recognizing the donors to the Kirby Mill would be placed on the back wall of the pavilion. Board members who were present at that meeting said they liked the plans but did not move forward with approval because Gantner was absent from the meeting.

Friends President Corey Ringle answered questions Gantner had about the size of the structure. Ringle added that Cynthia Moore is a member of the Friends and a landscape architect who would advise them on the project.

Moore made a motion to permit the Friends to build the pavilion, and the motion passed unanimously.

Proclamations

Gantner read proclamations for the Ohio Operating Engineers and the Ohio Iron Workers. Both groups have done extensive work for the park over the years. Most recently, they removed the pedestrian bridge over the dam at the upper lake and installed the new bridge.

Budget committee

Gantner asked Dave Wehner, Cindy Moore and Steve McPeake to serve as members of an ad hoc budget committee.

Miscellaneous

Moore said residents had approached her with concerns about unrepaired fencing and hanging power lines. She also reported that grass in a large field containing wildflowers was cut too early in the year, which she said could affect the migratory bird population.

Resident Betty Vandermeer asked if the park could install bike racks.

Photo caption: The board signed proclamations thanking the Ohio Operating Engineers Local 18 and the Ironworks Local 17 for their work to remove a pedestrian bridge over the upper lake and put the new metal bridge in place. Shown are (front row) Board member Anita Gantner, Danny Becket representing Ironworks Local 17, Matt Fuentes, representing the OOE; Cindy Moore and Holly Price. (Back row) Dave Wehner, Mike Lyons, Steve McPeake and Mark Robeson. Photo by S. Serdinak.