AMHERST TOWNSHIP NEWSLETTER

Summer 2007
Vol. XII No. 2
Recycling Report

Amherst Township recycled the following quantities through the “Blue Bag” program (1st quarter):


 0.7
tons of aluminum cans

3.7
tons of bi-metal cans

6.9
tons of glass

2.0
tons of HDPE plastics

1.6
tons of PETE plastics

15.6
tons of newspapers



There were no dumpster days in the first quarter, therefore no scrap metal.




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 2007:

July 5, 6, 7 *(Incentive Contest)
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!!

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.

Township Hall & Garage
Fax...................................988-5877
Fiscal Officer (clerk)..............988-5894
Email: amhersttwpfo@oh.rr.com
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@oh.rr.com
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
Howard Akin.............................233-7624

Road Superintendent
John Szefcyk..........................988-7045

Amherst Twp Senior Services Office
Carol Schmitkons....................988-5822
Email: amhersttwpseniors@oh.rr.com
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

TRUSTEE MEETINGS:
2nd & 4th Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m.

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.

Conservation Development

R. J. Perritt Homes will be developing a 20.31-acre parcel as a 41-unit, Single-Family, Conservation Development on the east side of Pyle-South Amherst Road, just north of Middle Ridge Road.  The development will be called Copper Creek.  Homes will range in size from 1,688 square feet to 2,720 square feet.

Approximately 9.6 acres of common open space will be deeded to a Homeowner’s Association to be utilized as private open space and park area.  The common open space area shall be conserved to permanently remain in a natural state, and the area shall be prohibited from being further developed with home sites.  A walking trail will be constructed in the conserved wooded area for the use of the resident homeowners and their guests.

A multi-purpose rain garden will be constructed in the northern portion of the development.  The rain garden will be an attractive landscaping feature planted with perennial native plants, will serve as a detention area for large rainfall, and is designed to absorb stormwater run-off from impervious surfaces, thus filtering the pollutants from the stormwater prior to discharge into the storm sewers.

Earthen mounding and landscaping will be constructed along Pyle-South Amherst Road to serve as an attractive entryway to the Copper Creek development, and to act as a buffer for the current and future Amherst Township Residents.  A minimum 25-foot wide buffer area will surround the development.  The conserved wooded area at the east end of the development will provide a nice buffer area for City of Amherst residents and Amherst township residents living nearby.

The approximate 1,761 feet of new road pavement will become a dedicated public street.  Sanitary sewers, water and electric service will be provided by the City of Amherst.  Storm sewers and pavement will be maintained by Amherst Township, while the street-side sidewalk, rain garden and common open space maintenance will be the responsibility of the Copper Creek residents.

To view more information on this project visit:

www.rjperritthomes.com

Click on “Home Sites” then on “Copper Creek”.

FEATURED EMPLOYEE

Kirsten Penton Hill is our featured employee.  Kirsten has worked for the Township since August 2006 as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, and holds the position of Secretary for 2007.  If someone wants to do something that does not necessarily agree with the current zoning, they bring it before the ZBA.  Examples may be lot splits, building, or running a business that is not a permitted use in the area.  The ZBA also annually reviews all of the “Conditional Uses” in the township to make sure everyone is still in compliance.  Kirsten enjoys learning about zoning and its purpose in the township.

Since 1995, Kirsten has been a co-owner of “Penton’s Farm Market” on North Ridge Road with her husband Andy.  The business is a year-round farm market providing produce, deli, bakery, and specialty products to the community since the 1960’s.  She also operated “Penton’s Pumpkin Patch”.  In the past, Kirsten has worked for General Motors under an Internship, as an accountant at Wright, Griffin, Davis, & Co., CPA’s, and as an auditor and vice president at Key Bank in Cleveland.  As an auditor she traveled nation wide before settling back in Amherst Township.

As the daughter of Bill and Gunver Penton, Kirsten grew up in Amherst Township.  After attending college, she lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Lakewood, Ohio.  She has now returned to the township to raise her children here.  Kirsten graduated from Amherst Steele High School in 1982 as class vice-president.  She received a “Bachelor of Business Administration” from Adrian College in Adrian, Michigan and a “Master of Business Administration” from Baldwin Wallace College.  She is also a “Certified Public Accountant”, certified by the State of Ohio.

Kirsten has been married to her husband Andy Hill for 18 years.  They have a 14-year-old son, Kyle, and a 12-year-old daughter, Nina.

Kirsten enjoys exercising and does so several times per week.    She  has  completed  several  triathlons  and  a

marathon, but now runs shorter races each summer.  She enjoys cooking and likes to try new recipes.  Recently, she acted as the “General Contractor” on a Barn Loft construction project.  She also attends her children’s sports activities.

Kirsten is a board member of “Amherst Schools Educational Foundation” and has been a past president of “Direct Agricultural Marketing Association of Ohio”.  She is a member of OSCPA (Ohio Society of CPA’s) and of AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants).  She was also a past member of the Lorain Family YMCA.

We would like to thank Kirsten for being a valuable part of our township and for taking the time in her busy schedule to serve on the Board of Zoning Appeals!

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

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.

Lorain County Sheriff’s
Community Policing Report

Driving Safety

Please be aware that bad driving conditions are still present.  As thunderstorms arrive, it is important to pay close attention to standing water as well as water running across the roadways.  It takes very little water to lose traction on the road surface, causing your vehicle to hydroplane and you to lose control.

REMEMBER!!!  IF A ROADWAY IS CLOSED DUE TO HIGH WATER, DO NOT PROCEED PAST THE BARRIER.

Give yourself plenty of time when traveling and be aware of your fellow drivers.

As well as paying proper attention to roadway conditions, be aware of distractions inside your vehicle.  Use hands free adapters for your cell phones or pull over to a safe spot until you complete your call.  Limit your activities while driving to driving.  Eating, talking on phones, text messaging, watching DVD players, and personal grooming while driving are examples of activities that lead to accidents.  Trying to multi-task while operating a vehicle puts others as well as yourself in danger.  Drive Safe.

Graduation Season

With graduation season here, the Lorain County Sheriff Office wants be sure that everyone has an enjoyable time.  Extra DUI and Seat Belt enforcement will be in affect to assure that your graduation is a safe and memorable time.

I hope you all enjoy this summer and as always you can contact me at 440-329-3749 with any questions or concerns.  REMEMBER!!! The above number is to my office and is not monitored 24 hours a day.  If you have an emergency or a problem that needs immediate attention, dial 440-329-3710 or 911.

Deputy J. Greiner
Community Policing Officer
Lorain County Sheriff’s Office

PRIDE DAY 2007

As part of Pride Day, wood chips were
spread and flowers were planted at the
Amherst Township Hall and the
Amherst Township Park on Middle
Ridge Road.  Planters were also hung at
the Township Hall.  We would like to
thank the following businesses for their
donations to this project:

  • Thome Farms
  • North Shore Landscape

Middle Ridge Road
Left Turn Lanes

The Lorain County Engineer has received an Ohio Public Works grant for the installation of left turn lanes on Middle Ridge Road at “Eddystone Drive” and the north section of “Oberlin Road” in Amherst Township.  The grant will cover approximately 83% of the estimated cost of $100,000 for the improvements with the County Engineer covering the balance.  The Lorain County Engineer studied five intersections on Middle Ridge Road.  These intersections included Hidden Valley Drive, Dewey Road, and Nordson Drive as well as the two locations that will be improved.  Three of the five locations did not meet the warrants as required by the “Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices” for the addition of a turning lane.

Plans for the “Eddystone Drive” left turn lane are complete and were advertised for bids in May, with construction to be completed this year.  Designs for the left turn lane at “Oberlin Road (north)” are underway.  This project will be advertised for bids when the design is complete.

F.A.C.E.

Please welcome Jim Kantola as a new board member of Amherst Township’s nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, Funding Amherst Community Enhancement.

Pay-as-You-Throw

A “Pay-As-You-Throw” (PAYT) program is being considered by the LCSWMD.  “PAYT” programs allow residents to pay for solid waste services on a per-unit basis.  The ultimate outcome is that the residents who throw away more, pay more.

The Amherst Township Trustees are considering a community-contracted hauler

“PAYT” program that would improve recycling and stabilize rates.  No decision has been made to convert to the “PAYT” program at this time, but information provided by Allied Waste indicates that continuing with the current program will result in a higher cost increase to the township residents versus the “PAYT” program.

Stay tuned for further information in future newsletters or watch the Trustee Meetings on cable.

Recycling Incentive Contest

Back again in 2007, 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.

Winners of the April 2007 recycling contest received a $20 gift certificate from one of the following township businesses:

Don Mould’s Plant Outlet

“Law’s Auto Service” Marathon Station

Maggie’s Greenhouse

Steve Polansky Market, Inc.

Thome Farms

The winners are:

Philip Bak, Charles Barckert, Elaine Birkline, Denise Bringman, William Bringman, Dale Cary, Tom Flanagan, Daniel Fly, Dave Fly, Dennis Hodkey, Sandra Jewell, Raymond Koba, Gary Lamier, Helen Podlich, Anne Poore, Sharie Riccardi, Jacki Rich, Barbara Shauck, Pam Welton, and Dorothy Wilford.

RAFFLE ENTRY FORM

For “Recycling Incentive Contest”
Dumpster Days: July 5th, 6th, and 7th
(Thursday, Friday, and Saturday – Time: 7:00am to 3:30pm)

NAME:_______________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS:___________________________________________________________________

PHONE NUMBER:______________________________________________________________

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.

“Building inspections” through the Lorain County Building Department may also be required.  These building “inspections” are in addition to the building “permits” that are required from the Township.  The Amherst Township Zoning Inspector can assist you for both of these requirements.  A building “permit” from the township is required before applying for the building “inspection” from the county.  Permits for both the township and the county may be viewed on the township’s website under “zoning”.

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.

Curfew

Please be aware that a curfew exists in Amherst Township for minors age 16 and under between the hours of Midnight and 5 a.m.  This curfew will be enforced by the Lorain County Sheriff’s Dept.

NOTE: Meeting Times:

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