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AMHERST TOWNSHIP NEWSLETTER
| Fall 2006 |
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Vol. XI No. 3
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Recycling Report
Amherst Township recycled the following quantities through the “Blue Bag” program (2nd quarter):
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1.0 |
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tons of aluminum cans |
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5.0 |
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tons of bi-metal cans |
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9.4 |
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tons of glass |
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2.7 |
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tons of HDPE plastics |
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2.1 |
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tons of PETE plastics |
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21.1 |
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tons of newspapers |
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7.0 |
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tons of scrap metal through the dumpster program |
For questions concerning the “Blue Bag” program, contact Allied Waste Services at 458-5191 or David Urig at 988-8256.
Amherst Township has set the following dates for “Dumpster Days” in 2006:
October 5, 6, 7
Hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Please note: NO TIRES WITH RIMS!
NO PROPANE TANKS!
Drop-Off Hours for Yard Waste!!
Brush, limbs, grass clippings, and leaves may be brought to the rear of the Amherst Township Garage at the following times:
- 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Mon – Fri
- 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Saturday
- Amherst Township Residents only
- I.D. will be checked
- No Commercial
The garage is located at 7530 Oberlin Road.
Newspapers, cans, glass, and 1's & 2's plastics can be placed at your curb in blue bags for Allied pick-up. Newspapers should be “blue bagged” separately.
Compost & Wood Chips Available
Free compost and wood chips are 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.
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TRUSTEE MEETINGS:
2nd & 4th Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m.
Township Hall & Garage
Fax...................................988-5877
Fiscal Officer (clerk)..............988-5894
Road Superintendent (garage)..988-5833
Email: amhersttwproads@comcast.net
Office (Zoning Inspector).......988-5866
Office Hours for Zoning Insp:
Mon., Wed. & Sat. – 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Voice Mail is checked daily
Email: amhersttwpzoning@comcast.net
Don Gargas, Zoning Inspector
Trustees
Dennis Abraham...................986-4555
(Ambulance, Cemetery, Park, Water, Roads,
Ditches, Enterprise Zones, County Health Rep.)
Neil Lynch............................988-7681
(Sewer, Fire Land, Equipment, Personnel, LORCO,
Senior Services, Zoning)
David C. Urig.........................988-8256
(Lighting, Buildings, Solid Waste, Phase II Storm
Water/Environmental Strategy, Alternate County
Health Rep.)
Fiscal Officer (Clerk)
John Koval.............................233-5744
Road Superintendent
John Szefcyk..........................988-7045
Amherst Twp Senior Services Office
Carol Schmitkons....................988-5822
Email: amhersttwpseniors@comcast.net
Office Hours – Mon thru Fri – 8am to 12 Noon
Fire Prevention Officer
Wayne Eppley.........................324-3921
LifeCare Ambulance, Inc.
Maude or Herb DeLa Porte........323-6111
Sheriff's Department................329-3710
Township Website...www.amhersttownship.us
Amherst Township Trustee Meetings may be viewed on Amherst Cable Channel 12. They will air for 7 days, running Mon thru Mon, following the 2nd and 4th 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 11pm Trustee meetings. All airings are subject to change.
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THE ALL-PURPOSE AMHERST TOWNSHIP PARK CENTER
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Funding Amherst Community Enhancements (F.A.C.E.) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose 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.
As its first major project, FACE is planning to create an All-Purpose Park Center at the Amherst Township Park located on Middle Ridge Road, the only public park in the Township. The park's 13.6 acres contain four (4) soccer fields, two (2) baseball-softball fields, a playground for young children, hiking trails, portable toilets, an aging picnic pavilion, and a 62-car parking lot. The Township Park is open year-round from dawn to dusk and has enjoyed approximately 10,000+ adults and children visitors per year.
THE NEED
A lack of adequate support facilities in the face of increasing usage is dictating the need for a new and expanded Park Center. For example, at present, there are no indoor toilets or running water, no adequate electrical service, no concessions stand for refreshments, no indoor rooms in which smaller groups can meet and/or eat. In addition, the parking
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lot and toilet facilities provide limited access for people with disabilities, severely restricting enjoyment of the park by this segment of our community.
THE GOALS
Goals of this project include: increased usage of the Park, enhanced satisfaction and increased support of those who do use it, and a greater attractiveness of the Park to a wider variety of community groups (such as, seniors and people with disabilities). The new facility will allow more diversified use by community groups, organizations and individuals. The planned indoor meeting room will be used for seniors to meet, outdoor educational programs to be held, various groups to hold meetings, and families to schedule weddings and reunions.
FACE invites all township residents to submit suggestions for inclusion in this first project and ideas for future undertakings. Suggestions should be sent to:
F.A.C.E. Chairman, Mr. Howard Akin
c/o Amherst Township Hall
7530 Oberlin Road
Elyria, OH 44035
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Lots Available
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.
$370 – Resident
$636 – Non-Resident
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Contact Sheriff’s Dept.
If residents know of, or see, any suspicious activity in the township or at the Amherst Township Park, please contact the Sheriff’s Dept. at 329-3710.
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FEATURED EMPLOYEE
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Roy Cochran is our featured employee. Roy has worked for the Township for about 5 years. If someone wants to do something that does not necessarily agree with the current zoning, they bring it before the Board of Zoning Appeals. Examples may be lot splits, building, or running a business that is not a permitted use in the area. The BZA also annually reviews all of the “Conditional Uses” in the township to make sure everyone is still in compliance. Sometimes the board must make very difficult decisions on an appeal. This often means that someone will be disappointed, as there are often two sides of the appeal. As a BZA member, Roy likes being involved in the future of the township.
Roy is a Captain on the Lorain Fire Department and holds the position of Training Officer. He is also the owner of “Excalibur Solutions”, a business that offers consulting and training services to industrial clients on OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) compliance issues.
Roy has lived in the township for about 15 years. He has been married to his wife Pam for 21 years. Pam is a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner at Kendal of Oberlin. Their two grandchildren live with them, Riley is 6 and Devyn is 5.
Roy was raised in Lorain and has been a Lorain County resident for most of his life. He graduated from Lorain County Community College and is currently a student at the University of Cincinnati, enrolled in their “Fire & Safety Engineering Program”.
For fun Roy enjoys sports, outdoor activities, and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle.
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Roy is affiliated with several organizations relating to his profession and is an associate member of the “Safety Professional Organization”. He is also a member of the Church of the Open Door where he is active in the men’s ministry.
We would like to thank Roy for being a valuable part of our township and for taking the time in his busy schedule to serve on the Amherst Township Board of Zoning Appeals!
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Street Lights Out
If you notice a street light out near your home, residents are encouraged to contact Ohio Edison by calling their “Automated Outage Reporting” phone number at:
1-888-544-4877
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New Board Members
The Board of Zoning Appeals recently acquired two new members. We would like to welcome to the board Kirsten Penton Hill, who is filling a regular board member position, and Marcie Jaworski, who is filling an alternate position. Thanks to both of you for your interest in serving your community.
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Attention!
Hidden Valley Residents
Please do not rake leaves onto the street as it restricts water flow into the catch basins when it rains, causing drainage problems for you and your neighbors! The township does not pick up leaves. However, you can bring leaves and other yard waste to the Township Garage for disposal.
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Preparing for Winter
- As a safety issue, please do not pile snow around fire hydrants. It is best to keep hydrants clear of any snow, excess mounding of soil, or plants.
- Also, when cleaning your driveways, do not plow or shovel snow onto the streets after the Township/County has plowed.
- Mailboxes should be inspected to make sure the posts are in good condition before the winter snowplowing begins.
- Be aware that the bridge decks freeze before the pavement does, causing them to be slippery even when the roads are clear.
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Your Yard Waste
Limbs, brush, grass clippings, and leaves may be brought to the Township Garage at 7350 Oberlin Road. Hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Monday thru Friday, and from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. There is a composting area at the rear of the property where the items may be placed.
Please – limbs, brush, grass clippings, and leaves only!
No garbage, refuse, or other items allowed. It has come to the attention of the Township Trustees that garbage and refuse have been left with the compost material. This causes extra work and cost to the township. It is not the intent of the composting program to provide other refuse disposal.
LIFECARE
Amherst Township, as a member of the Sandstone Joint Ambulance District, has chosen “LifeCare” to be their ambulance provider. President Maude DeLa Porte and Vice-President Herb DeLa Porte own and operate LifeCare. They can be reached at 323-6111. To learn more about their services, visit their website at www.lifecareambulance.com.
For more information about LifeCare as well as links to other related websites visit:
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Burning Prohibited
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The burning of leaves, grass clippings, brush, and limbs is prohibited in the township. Unnecessary tax dollars are spent when the fire department responds to a fire call which is not a true emergency. If you have any questions, please call Fire Inspector, Wayne Eppley, at 324-3921, or contact one of your township trustees. Yard waste may be brought to the Amherst Township Garage for disposal. For drop-off times, days, and location, see “Your Yard Waste” and the front page of this newsletter.
Permits Required
Residents are reminded that permits are needed for pools, decks, porches, patios, gazebos, fences, ponds, signs, garages, new construction, building additions, accessory buildings, and driveways. When a permit is obtained 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.
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Remember to Vote!
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This year’s general election will be on Tuesday, November 7th. Please exercise your right to vote. Remember that to be eligible to vote this fall, you must take along your driver’s license or a photo ID to show to the poll workers. New registrations and change of addresses need to be completed by October 10th. You can register at any county Board of Elections office, any public high school or vocational school, any Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, any public library, or the county treasurers’ office, to name a few of the locations. Registrations can also be mailed to the county board of elections or the Secretary of State’s Office, but they must be postmarked at least 30 days prior to the election.
If you are unable to get out and vote but you would still like a say in how our country is run, call the Lorain County Board of Elections at 244-3186 to |
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request an absentee ballot, or visit their website. Absentee voting begins on October 3rd.
The Lorain County Board of Elections is located at 1985 N. Ridge Road East, in Lorain. For more information about voting and other registration locations, visit the Lorain County Board of Elections website at:
http://lorainboe.erienet.net
Your vote counts! The percentage and number of voters in our community influences many of the decisions that affect Amherst Township. Let’s show the rest of Lorain County how committed Amherst Township residents are to exercising their rights by voting!
Please vote on Tuesday, November 7th
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SIGNS
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From the desk of the Zoning Inspector:
Fall brings some new activities and this fall it will include Elections.
This brings up the placement of Political Signs. Amherst Township limits the size of these signs to 8 square feet. No permit is required for Political Signs, but the permission of the property owner is required. These signs may be placed 30 days prior to Election Day and must be removed 10 days after the election.
Also, if a fall garage sale is in your plans, remember that if you place signs on near-by corners or on property other than your own, you are required to
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have that property owner’s permission. Please keep your signs to a reasonable size such as 8 square feet. Also help keep the Township litter free by removing and properly disposing of the signs when your sale is over.
If you are preparing for winter with the installation of replacement windows, home insulation, or a new furnace, the Township does not require a permit for these, but always choose a qualified contractor. We do not require contractors to be licensed or bonded in the Township, but it is recommended that you check for these kinds of assurances.
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TRICK
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TREAT
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“Trick-or-Treat” in Amherst Township will be held on Sunday, October 29th, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. this year. Residents that wish to pass out candy should turn on their outside lights.
Also on Sunday, October 29th, the City of Amherst Fire Department will be sponsoring a “Costume Contest” with registration starting at 3:00 p.m. at the Sans Springs Building, located at 480 Park Ave. in Amherst. Judging for the contest will start promptly at 4:00 p.m.
The annual “Halloween Parade” will follow, from 4:30 – 5:00 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the parade will be cancelled and the “Costume Contest” will be held at the Amherst Fire Department located at 414 Church St. in Amherst.
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Website Update
Amherst township’s website is being updated to include various resolutions that are of interest to township residents. These resolutions include:
- Enclosure of Roadside Ditch
- Access Management / Driveway Permit
Visit our website at:
www.amhersttownship.us
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NOTE: Meeting Times:
Trustee Meetings at 7:00 p.m. – Zoning Commission Meetings now at 6:30 p.m.
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