Vol. X No. 1

Recycling Report

(5.0)	1.1		tons of aluminum cans
(24.8)	5.3		tons of bi-metal cans
(47.1)	10.0		tons of glass
(13.6)	2.8		tons of HDPE plastics
(10.7)	2.3		tons of PETE plastics
(105.9)	22.4		tons of newspapers
(24.1)	10.0		tons of scrap metal through the dumpster program

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.

F.A.C.E.

The first official meeting of the Board of Directors of the newly formed non-profit corporation, Funding Amherst Community Enhancement (FACE), was held on February 15th. The by-laws were finalized and approved. The three original Board members voted to add John Eibon and Richard Rice to the Board. Howard Akin was then elected President of the Board and John Eibon was elected Treasurer. Names were submitted to fill the other Board vacancies. These people will be contacted to see if they are willing to serve. The next FACE Board meeting is set for March 15th.

           

           

ADDRESS MARKERS

Have you noticed the 6” x 18” green address markers that are on some of the mailbox posts? These markers have 3” reflective numbers on them and are highly visible. These markers can be of assistance if an emergency service needs to locate your residence, or if out-of-town friends or relatives are visiting.

If you are interested in purchasing a green address marker for your mailbox, please contact the Elyria

Township Fire Department, 41416 Griswold Road, Elyria, at 324-2973. There is someone at the station between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., 7 days a week. Leave a message if the phone isn’t answered. The markers cost $10, which includes up to 5 numbers on each side of the marker. Extra 3” reflective numbers may be purchased for 25 cents each. Payments may be made with a check or with cash, only. The markers have 3-predrilled holes.

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FEATURED EMPLOYEE

Carol Schmitkons, Amherst Township Senior Service Director, is our featured employee.  Carol started working for the township 2-1⁄2 years ago when the Senior Service Office for Amherst Township was created.  As director, she is responsible for managing the meal program, preparing a quarterly newsletter, assisting clients in getting the help they need (either through various agencies or with direct "one-on-one" assistance), applying for grants, giving information and referral support, and providing transportation for clients (either making the arrangements or doing the driving).  Carol is also certified by the "Ohio Dept. of Insurance" to do Medicare counseling.  Carol enjoys seeing seniors stay independent as long as possible.  She likes helping to resolve problems and then seeing the hope that is generated from the solutions.

Carol has lived in the township for her entire life.  She has been married to her husband Jim for 33 years.  They have a son Aaron who is completing his Masters in Mechanical Engineering at Ohio State.  Also, they recently acquired a new daughter-in-law, Kim, who is married to Aaron.  Carol attended the Amherst school system, and then attended Bluffton College where she obtained a Bachelors degree in Home Economics.  She is also taking continuing education classes relative to her Senior Service Director position.

Carol was a very busy "stay-at-home" mom.  Besides helping to farm their fruit & berry orchards, as well as maintaining a small garden, she was very involved with her son’s school and her church.  She was on the Open Door Christian School board for 3 years, treasurer of the Open Door Christian School Parent Teacher Fellowship for 4 years, lead a "Ladies Bible Study" discussion group for 15 years, as well as teaching Open Door’s Pioneer Girls (similar to Girl Scouts) for 5 years.  During these years Jim and Carol also did most of the work on building their current

          

VOLUNTEERISM is the lifeblood of a successful Senior Service program. Our meal volunteers have been very faithful, but once in a while someone gets sick. We could use a few people willing to act as subs. Also, Jennifer DeWitt, one of our meal volunteers,

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        Planting in Road Right-of-Way         

Concerning intersections, Article 300 of the Amherst Township Zoning Resolution, Section 307 (Visibility at Intersections) states:

On every corner lot there shall be no obstruction to visibility (whether by the location of structures including fences, landscaping or other means) between the heights of 3 feet and 6 feet above the natural grade, within the triangle formed by the right-of-way lines of two intersecting streets, and a line drawn between two points, one on each such right-of-way line, each 25 feet from the point of intersection of such right-of-way lines.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Don Gargas, Amherst Township Zoning Inspector, at 988 5866, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., Mon., Wed., & Sat.

PARK ADDITION

Amherst Township is in the process of purchasing additional land for the Middle Ridge Road Park. The Local Natural Resource Advisory Council (NRAC) has approved Amherst Township’s request for “Clean Ohio” grant funds in the amount of $30,000 to purchase 3.6 acres of additional property that is contiguous to the current parkland. As part of the “Clean Ohio” grant requirement, this additional area must be maintained in its natural state. Planned improvements that comply with this grant include the addition of a walking/jogging/biking/roller-blading pathway and perimeter fencing.

PARK PAVILION

Due to the increased usage of the park pavilion, and to avoid scheduling conflict, please contact Amherst Township Road Superintendent, John Szefcyk, to make reservations if you wish to use the pavilion. He can be reached during the week at 988-5833.

AMHERST TOWNSHIP
PARK REMINDERS

Residents are reminded that as of March 1, 2003 animals are not permitted in the Amherst Township Park. Whoever violates this resolution is guilty of a minor misdemeanor and shall be prosecuted (ORC Section 511.32).

Also as a reminder, vandalism at the Amherst Township Park is prosecutable. Violators will be charged with Criminal Vandalism according to ORC 2909.05. This is a felony offense and carries a fine of $2500. This will be strictly enforced. The township park is being patrolled by the Sheriff’s Department.

Twp. Bulletin Board

Scheduled meetings and Trustee Work Sessions are regularly posted in the bulletin board at the Township Hall. These are public meetings and residents are welcome to attend.

Annual HHW Collection Day

NOPEC

www.NOPECINFO.org.

Curfew

Recycling Incentive Contest

Again in 2005, there will be an incentive program to encourage recycling. This incentive program is an eligibility requirement of the "Solid Waste Grant" award received by Amherst Township.

This program will consist of a raffle to be held in conjunction with the township’s "dumpster events". To enter the raffle, simply fill out the entry form below. Bring the completed form along with a blue bag of recyclables or recyclable yard waste to the dumpster event. Winners will be drawn during one of the regularly scheduled Trustee meetings.

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.

RAFFLE ENTRY FORM

For “Recycling Incentive Contest”
Dumpster Days: April 7th, 8th, and 9th, 2005
(Thursday, Friday, and Saturday – Time: 7:00am to 3:30pm)

Permits Required

As Springtime arrives, residents are reminded that permits are needed for the following items listed below. 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.

Pools		Decks
Porches		Patios
Gazebos		Fences
Garages		Ponds
Driveways		Signs
New Construction
Building Additions
Accessory Buildings

Contact Sheriff’s Dept.

NOTE: New Earlier Meeting Times:

Trustee Meetings now at 7:00 p.m. – Zoning Commission Meetings now at 6:30 p.m.