Vol. IX No. 4

Recycling Report

1.3		tons of aluminum cans
6.6		tons of bi-metal cans
12.6		tons of glass
3.6		tons of HDPE plastics
2.9		tons of PETE plastics
28.2		tons of newspapers
6.3		tons of scrap metal through the dumpster program in April

Dumpster Days

Drop-Off Hours for Yard Waste!!

Compost Available

Free compost is available from the Township. If you are interested, contact John Szefcyk, Road Superintendent, at 988-5833.

Have a problem?  Complaint forms are available at the Township Hall, inside the white bulletin board, or may be downloaded from the Township’s website.

Amherst Township Trustee Meetings may be viewed on Amherst Cable Channel 12.  They will air for 7 days, running Mon thru Mon, following the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesdays of the month.  Air times are at 9 am, 4 pm, & 11 pm.  Zoning Commission meetings will be shown 8 am, 3 pm & at the conclusion of the 11pmTrustee meetings.  All airings are subject to change.

MARKETING OF STATE ROUTE 58

Amherst Township Trustees have hired D.B. Hartt to undertake a supplemental planning study for the Route 58 and Route 113 corridors.  These areas are identified as key development areas for the Township during the recent process to update the Township’s Comprehensive Zoning Plan.

The corridor study will include the area along Route 58 from Ackerman Road (Park Ave) to the southern township line, which is just south of the Deer Track Golf Club.  The study will also include the area along SR 113 from the South Amherst city limits to just east of Route 58.  The geographic area will specifically encompass an area which includes:

1. North of the Turnpike:  from the Amherst city limits to approximately 1⁄2 mile east of Rt 58
2. South of the Turnpike:  from the South Amherst city limits to approximately 1⁄2 mile east of Rt 58

The boundaries may be slightly refined based on the results of the study.

The overall goal of the Route 58 Corridor Study is to provide the Township with more definitive information about the corridor and to assist the Township in developing more detailed strategies for this corridor than what is presently represented in the Township’s “1995 Comprehensive Zoning Plan”, including the 2004 update.  This plan is available for public viewing at the Township Hall.

The objectives of this planning study are to:

1. Estimate the current development potential and implications given the corridor’s existing natural and “man-made” characteristics and current zoning requirements.
2. Identify traffic impacts and outline traffic management strategies based on current zoning, compared to two or three alternative development scenarios generally consistent with the comprehensive plan.
3. Provide detailed policies and implementation strategies which could include:

• Zoning amendments – text and map;
• Traffic management approaches;
• Marketing and economic development;
• Environmental preservation approaches; and
• Site and building design standards.

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FEATURED EMPLOYEE

Don Gargas, Zoning Inspector for Amherst Township, is our featured employee.  Don started working for the township as a Zoning Committee member from 1997 to 2000.  Then in 2000, Don accepted the position of Zoning Inspector.  As the Zoning Inspector Don is responsible for writing permits for buildings and structures, enforcing zoning resolutions, accepting applications for Zoning Amendments and Variances, and in general helping people to understand zoning and zoning areas in the township.  Don has broadened his job responsibilities by assisting in writing grants, and by assisting the Trustees, the Zoning Commission, and the Zoning Board of Appeals with various projects, as needed.  Don also maintains a liaison with the County Prosecutor.  Don enjoys his job because of all the different people he gets to meet in the community.  He also likes being involved with the leading edge of what is happening in the township and helping people.  The hardest thing about his job is having to enforce zoning when people will not conform to the current zoning, especially when the prosecutor needs to get involved.  Thankfully this doesn’t happen too often.

Don and his wife Cheryl have lived in the township for the past 11 years.  They have 2 daughters as well as 2 granddaughters.  Don grew up in the Elyria/Lorain area and attended Elyria Catholic as well as LCCC.  He graduated from Ohio State with a Business Degree.

Don is a member of the American Legion as well as the Amherst Eagles.  He served in the U.S. Army for 2 years.  He recently became a board member of the newly formed 501(c)(3) non-profit organization for Amherst Township.  Don’s favorite pastime is gardening and yard work around his home.

Many thanks to Don for all the work he does maintaining the zoning in our township and for being so involved in our community.

                                                  

Christmas Tree Disposal

Amherst Township residents may bring their live Christmas Trees to the rear of the Amherst Township Garage Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  Residents may also leave live trees on their lawn near the road.  The township road crew will be picking up these trees Dec 26th thru Jan 7th.

Lorain County Sheriff's
Bike Patrol

We would again like to thank the Lorain County Sheriff’s Department for providing their bike patrol during Amherst Township’s “Trick-or-Treat” day.  This is the third year in a row that the bike patrol has cruised Amherst Township’s neighborhoods to ensure the safety of our children participating in this holiday.  This year’s bike patrol consisted of Deputy J.D. Rico and Deputy Jason Smith.

DRIVEWAY
PERMITS

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F.A.C.E.

Amherst Township is in the process of creating a new nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.  Its name is FACE (Funding Amherst Community Enhancement).

Its purpose is to explore and obtain funding and services to enhance the quality of life for all the residents of Amherst Township and the surrounding areas by seeking funds through grants, donations, and volunteer efforts.

What is a nonprofit organization?  A common and broad definition would be that it is a tax-exempt organization that serves the public interest.  In general, the purpose of this type of organization must be charitable, educational, scientific, religious, or literary.  The public expects to be able to make donations to these organizations and deduct these donations from their federal taxes.

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OHIO EPA

OPEN BURNING LAWS

Ohio EPA regulates outdoor burning in restricted and unrestricted areas.  Restricted areas include land within 1,000 feet of a municipality and areas within a mile of communities larger than 10,000 in population.  In restricted areas, residents can burn outdoors only for cooking purposes and some occupational needs.  Residents outside of the restricted areas can outdoor burn for waste purposes as long as specific requirements are met, including the need to be at least 1,000 feet from all inhabited buildings on neighboring properties.

Ohio EPA regulations also prohibit the burning of some materials anywhere in the state at any time.  These include:  materials containing rubber, grease, and asphalt or made from petroleum, such as tires, cars, and auto parts, plastics or plastic-coated wire; garbage – any wastes created in the process of handling preparing or consumption of food; and, dead animals.

A copy of Ohio EPA’s brochure “Before you Light It:  Know Ohio’s Open Burning Regulations” is available on the Agency’s web site at www.epa.state.oh.us.  A copy of Ohio EPA’s open burning rules can be found at www.epa.state.oh.us/dapc/regs/3745-19/3745_19.html.

STORM WATER MANAGEMENT

Storm water run-off from our lawns, driveways and streets is discharged untreated into the water bodies we use for swimming, fishing, and drinking water.  Contaminants in storm water contribute to the pollution of our water bodies.

You can help reduce storm water pollution in the following ways:

• Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly
• When walking your pet, remember to pick up its waste and dispose of it properly
• Inspect your septic system at least every 3 years, and pump your tank as necessary
• Compost or mulch yard waste.  Don’t leave it in the street or sweep it into storm drains
• Recycle automotive fluids.  Do not pour on the ground or in storm drains
• Don’t over water your lawn
• Report illegal dumping to local law enforcement officials

By practicing healthy household habits, homeowners can keep common pollutants like pesticides, pet waste, grass clippings, and automotive fluids off the ground and out of storm water.

        

NOPEC

In March of 2004, Amherst Township voters approved giving township residents the choice of joining the North East Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC).  The individual utility customers NOPEC represents enjoy the advantages of bulk buying power, professional expertise, and consumer advocacy on their behalf.  With more than 600,000 potential customers, NOPEC is the largest public aggregation in the United States.  Eight other communities in Lorain County belong to NOPEC.  They include Avon, Avon Lake, Elyria, Lorain, South Amherst, Sheffield Lake, Sheffield Village and North Ridgeville.  The leveraged buying power of NOPEC should encourage lower and more stable utility cost.

Residents are reminded to watch their mail for information concerning the NOPEC Gas and Electric aggregation program.  Township residents wishing to join NOPEC will not be required to do anything.  Those wishing to opt-out will be required to sign and return the document provided by NOPEC.

For more information regarding NOPEC, visit their website at: www.nopecinfo.org

Middle Ridge Road

Safety Improvement

Various residents have approached the Amherst Township Board of Trustees regarding concerns over safety at various intersections along Middle Ridge Road.  The traffic safety, efficiency, capacity and flow along Middle Ridge Road between SR2 and SR58 has been reduced due to increased development and traffic usage.  Therefore the Trustees have passed a resolution requesting the Lorain County Engineer to study and make recommendations for improvements regarding the traffic safety, efficiency, capacity and flow along Middle Ridge Road.  The Trustees are requesting that left hand turning lanes are desired at the following intersections with Middle Ridge Road:

1. Eddystone
2. Oberlin Road/Hidden Valley Drive
3. Oberlin Road
4. Dewey
5. Nordson Drive

Recycling Incentive Contest

The recycling incentive program for 2004 is complete.  This incentive program was an eligibility requirement of the “Solid Waste Grant” award received by Amherst Township.  This program consisted of a raffle which was held in conjunction with the township’s “dumpster events”.

While the contest is over, residents are encouraged to place their blue bags out for pick up along with their regular garbage pick up.  Items that may be recycled in the blue bags are:

• “1” and “2” plastics (HDPE and PETE)
• Bi-metal cans (canned food cans)
• Aluminum cans
• Glass beverage bottles
• Newspapers

Newspapers are to be placed in a separate blue bag from the rest of the recyclables.  Also, please rinse all food and beverage containers before placing them in a blue bag.

All residents who brought a blue bag of recyclables or recyclable yard waste to the dumpster event in

Permits Required

Residents are reminded that permits are needed for pools, decks, porches, patios, gazebos, fences, ponds, signs, garages, new construction, building additions, and accessory buildings.  When a permit is applied for before the start of construction, the fee will be reduced by 50%.  Be sure you or your contractor has obtained a permit.  Payments must be made by check only. Cash is not accepted.

Please contact Don Gargas, Amherst Township Zoning Inspector for these permits.  Office hours for the Zoning Inspector are from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.  He can be reached at 988-5866.  Voice Mail is checked daily.

Cemetery lots are available at Kendeigh Cemetery, located at the intersection of Quarry Road and Middle Ridge Road.  Lots may be purchased by contacting the Township Office at 988-5833.

$350 – Resident

$600 – Non-Resident

Contact Sheriff’s Dept.

Twp. Bulletin Board