AMHERST TOWNSHIP NEWSLETTER

Winter 2006
Vol. XI No. 4
Recycling Report

Amherst Township recycled the following quantities through the “Blue Bag” program (2nd quarter):

1.0
tons of aluminum cans
5.0
tons of bi-metal cans
9.5
tons of glass
2.7
tons of HDPE plastics
2.2
tons of PETE plastics
21.3
tons of newspapers
6.0
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.

Dumpster Days

Amherst Township has set the following dates for “Dumpster Days” in 2006:

April 12, 13, 14
July 5, 6, 7
October 4, 5, 6

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!!

Christmas Trees, 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.

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@oh.rr.com
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
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.

AMHERST TOWNSHIP BUILDING PERMITS

In 2006 there was a change in the state law stating that by May of 2007 all Cities, Villages and Townships in Ohio are to be covered by Building codes.  Therefore, on November 14, 2006, by a unanimous vote of the Amherst Township Trustees, Amherst Township joined seven other Lorain County townships as a part of the “County Residential Building Department”.  This means all 1-, 2-, or 3-family dwelling units, whether new structures, additions to an existing home, or a change of use will be required to have a Building Permit.  Permits are only required for residential buildings.  Outbuildings (such as sheds, barns, or storage facilities), agricultural structures, and detached garages are not subject to Building Code permits.

The County’s inspectors are all certified in the State of Ohio.  The inspections are completed in the evenings and on weekends.  Currently there are no daytime inspections.  However, in the near future the “Lorain County Building Department” hopes to employ their first daytime inspector.  The “Lorain County Building Department” is a State certified department.

February 1, 2007 will be the effective date that “Building Permits” are required in Amherst Township.  The township’s website will post copies

of the residential building permit requirements, applications and fee schedule as well as the Lorain County Building Code.  If you plan to hire a contractor to work for you, please verify that they are registered with the “Lorain County Building Department”.  As a homeowner you are permitted to complete the work yourself or hire a contractor.  In either case, you will be required to “pull” a permit.

The Lorain County Building Department is located at 216 Third Street, Elyria, OH.  Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Please contact this office to make arrangements to get your permit.  If you have any questions concerning these new regulations, please call Linda at (440) 328-2330.

Commercial and Industrial structures are subject to State Building permits as they always have been.  If you are building a Commercial or Industrial structure, contact the state of Ohio.  If you need the contact information you can call the “Lorain County Building Department” for assistance.

Other townships that are also members of the “County Residential Building Department” are Sheffield, Columbia, Elyria, LaGrange, Penfield, Grafton, and Eaton townships.

Broadway Ave. / Taylor St. Sanitary Sewer Project
The State of Ohio EPA has issued administrative orders to the County to install sanitary sewers in the Broadway Ave./Taylor St. area.  On June 14, 2006, bids were opened to construct the sewers, which were 12% below the Engineer’s estimate.  On October 26, 2006, the Lorain County Economic Development Coordinator, Rebecca Jones, released information that $382,400 has been received from CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) for partial funding of the project.  Construction of the
Sanitary Sewers will begin in early December 2006, with an expected completion in October of 2007.  An additional $123,600 has been received from CDBG for low to moderate-income residences to help with their on-lot connection costs.  Contact Lorain County Economic Development Coordinator Rebecca Jones at (440) 328-2326 to determine if you qualify for on-lot sanitary connection financial assistance.

FEATURED EMPLOYEE

Darryl Saladin is our featured employee.  Darryl has been on the Zoning Commission for about 24 years.  As a member of the Zoning Commission, Darryl needs to study and be familiar with the Amherst Township Zoning Resolution.  The Zoning Commission makes decisions on rezoning, handles special requests from individuals on land use, and reviews “Site Plan Reviews”, signs, and text changes to the Zoning Resolution.  They are also looking at the goals and vision of the overall “Comprehensive Use Plan” for the future of the Township.  As a Zoning Commission member, Darryl likes to see all of the changes over the years, and there have been plenty of them.  Darryl finds the job to be difficult when the meeting load gets heavy and it becomes hard to juggle all of the meetings between his work schedules.  The past 2-3 years have been challenging with all of the zoning activity that is going on in the township.

Darryl works for the Ford Motor Company in Brookpark and hopes to retire in 7 years.

Darryl grew up in the township and has lived here for 51 years.  He graduated from Amherst Marion L. Steele High School in 1973.  He has been married to his wife Patricia for 25 years.  They have two children.  Their daughter Jennifer is 21 years old and is in her 4th year of college.  Their son Bryan is 19 years old and is in the carpenter’ apprenticeship program.  Darryl also graduated from Local 42 Plumber’s and Pipefitter’s Hall.

For fun Darryl likes to take the family on vacations.  His hobbies are racing and hunting.  Darryl also belongs to the “Midwest Supermodified Association”.

We would like to thank Darryl for being a valuable part of our township and for taking the time in his busy schedule to serve on the Amherst Township Zoning Commission!

Amherst Youth Soccer Assoc.

Children age 5 through the 8th grade may register for the “Spring” Soccer League on January 18, 2007 from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Nordson Depot.  Soccer will start the first week of April.  Players must be 5 years of age before July 31, 2007.  Players are not required to be Amherst students.  “Spring” sign-ups are for the 2nd half of the season only.  If a child signed up for the “Fall” season, they are already registered for the “Spring” season.

For players under the age of 8, a copy of their birth certificate will need to be supplied, along with $35.

All other players (age 9 & older before July 31st) will need to supply a small picture of themselves (2”x3”) to be used for a player’s pass, and a copy of their birth certificate, along with $50.

A second sign-up will also be held on February 2, 2007 from 10am to 2pm at the Nordson Depot.

New Board Member

We would like to welcome Glenn Thome to the Zoning Commission.  He will be filling an alternate position.  Thank you for your interest in serving your community.

More Website Updates

“Community Development Planning” is a new section that has been added to the website.  This section includes information on our growing community.  Of special interest is the “Amherst Township Comprehensive Plan” as well as the “SR58 Corridor Study” which includes the presentations given by HNTB for the Route 58 Traffic Study.  Check it out at:  www.amhersttownship.us.

SNOW BAN

Christmas Tree Disposal

Residents are reminded that there is a “Snow Ban” in effect in Amherst Township.  If there are two inches of snow or more, vehicles should not be parked on the street.

Amherst Township residents may bring their live Christmas Trees to the rear of the Amherst Township Garage Monday through 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 6th.

Recycling Incentive Contest

In 2006, a new recycling incentive contest began May 1st and ran for 20 weeks.  Addresses were randomly pulled on a weekly basis.  If the chosen address had a “Blue Bag” of recyclables on the curb for pick-up, the resident won a gift certificate.  Two households per week were awarded.

Having an incentive program is an eligibility requirement of the “Solid Waste Grant” award received by Amherst Township.

All winners, including the 2005 fall raffle winners, received a $50 gas card from “Law’s Auto Service” Marathon Station.

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.

Fall 2005
"Dumpster Eent" Recycling Raffle Contest Winners:

Tim Russell, Sharie Riccardi, Gary Lamier, Florence Gnizak, Robin Gnizak, Michael Gargasz, Tom Flanagan, Walter Bonhotel, Greg Ashley, and Richard Herman.

2006 “Curbside” Incentive Contest Winners:

Lopez – 139 Westwood Mobile Park

Ward – 43725 Middle Ridge Road

Dinsmoor – 848 Deer Run

Kimnick – 482 Oaknoll

Kozak – 7555 Leavitt Road

Percival – 8688 Oberlin Road

Karolak – 48241 Rice Road

Lottman – 45500 Telegraph Road

Perez – 170 Westwood Mobile Park

Rudolph – 323 Westwood Mobile Park

Cioffi – 878 Moss Canyon

McCarty – 7360 Hidden Glen

Tolstick – 160 Westwood Mobile Park

McDonald – 8920 Oberlin Road

Tokarcyzk – 45320 Old Middle Ridge Road

Tylicki – 47600 Middle Ridge Road

Citro – 6339 Juniper

? – 9109 Leavitt Road

Nunamaker – 226 Rustic Hill

Eikleberry – 422 Oaknoll

Cantanese – 198 Westwood Mobile Park

Fortner – 48086 Rice Road

Schmauch – 44125 Telegraph Road

Studstill – 87 Westwood Mobile Park

Fly – 44655 Middle Ridge Road

Maines – 46105 Middle Ridge Road

Menefee – 125 Hidden Tree Lane

Schlechter – 44070 Telegraph Road

Niece – 182 Westwood Mobile Park

Ferguson – 8596 Bechtel Road

Salinas – 209 Cottontail Court

Payne – 44460 Albrecht Road

? – 230 Amherst Mobile Home Park

Gill – 290 Westwood Mobile Park

Dulmage – 8219 Oberlin Road

Folkwein – 47305 Middle Ridge Road

Elliott – 9 Westwood Mobile Park

Matesik – 6642 Rosedale

Weir – 494 Oaknoll Drive

Duerk – 44069 Telegraph Road

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.

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

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 www.geocities.com/lifecaredispatch.

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.

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.

NOTE: Meeting Times:

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