The Mad River Township Board of Trustees met Monday night for a regularly scheduled meeting to discuss township issues.
Road Construction
-The trustees discussed submitting a list of township roads to the county for assessment, including Fowler Road, Broadway Road, Old Mill, Rocky Point, and possibly Stine Road. Trustee Bob McClure announced that he’d received a bid for the next phase of repairs to Old Mill Road, which was projected to cost just over $220,000 to repair Old Mill from Dayton Road to Rebert Pike. McClure said the plan was to start working on Old Mill last year and fix the worst spots before moving further south on the road and fixing potholes and other trouble spots. He said the first phase of the project last year cost around $200,000 also.
-At the suggestion of Road Superintendent Don O’Conner, the trustees agreed to look into the cost of fixing Old Mill from Dayton Road to the Interstate 70 overpass, as O’Conner said that section is the road most in need of repairs in the township.
Mad River Township Fire/EMS Department
-Fire Chief Tracy Young reminded residents to adhere to open burn regulations now that bonfires become more popular in the springtime season. Young said to be considerate of neighbors while burning, and not to burn any treated wood or green clippings, as the fire department will be forced to put the fires out if they become a nuisance to others.
-Regulations for burning in the township state that fires must be contained in a three foot by three foot by three foot fire ring, and that fires cannot last longer than three hours or burn past midnight. Young also asked that township residents notify dispatchers before having a fire by calling 864-1995 and letting them know how long the fire will burn as well as its location.
-Young reported that his crews had responded to 492 runs year-to-date, with 123 runs in March—17 of which were for fire, 106 for EMS.
-Young added that Ben Beair was named Emergency Services Provider of the first quarter of the year, noting that Beair will receive his trophy at the next meeting.
Hustead Fire Department
-Fire Chief Larry Ridenour reminded local drivers to be considerate of those hauling farm machinery this time of year, asking that all motorists share the road and look out for each other, as his department usually responds to one or two farm machinery-related crashes each year.
-Ridenour noted that his department has gone on 38 runs year-to-date, with only one response in the last two weeks, which was a car accident on April 9.
Cemetery
-O’Conner said memorial trees are still available to be planted in the cemetery this summer, and anyone who wishes to request a tree in memory of their loved one should do so by April 30.
-He also reported that he has three “forms” laid out in the cemetery in the three possible sites where the new Civil War memorial will be erected. O’Conner said historical society representatives want the marker to be placed at an angle so it can be seen from the road, but the township believes it will be better-placed in line with the other memorials. The trustees will visit the cemetery to choose their preferred location for the marker.
The Mad River Township Trustees meet the first and third Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the township fire station, with the public always welcome to attend.