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Founded in 1806 October 2016
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Greetings!
What a busy time for our township, with lots of important meetings and developments. We'll highlight a few here, and you can always check out the NEWS and the CALENDAR pages on our website at www.berkshiretwp.org
One look at the calendar below will show you that the coming weeks are just as busy, with so much on the schedule.
As we've mentioned before, doing actual mailings to our residents can be costly, but we can communicate by email and our web page for just pennies a month. That being said, it tells you that when we DO send something by mail, the Trustees really believe it's important and hope you'll take note.
Respectfully,
Rod Myers, Bill Holtry and Mike Dattilo, Township Trustees
Always, for the most up-to-the minute info, be sure to visit the TOWNSHIP NEWS page on our website.
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OCTOBER 2016
Monday, October 10 7:00 p.m.
Trustee Meeting, Open to the public
Thursday, October 20, 5 - 7:00 p.m.
ODOT Public Meeting re: proposed south exit
held at Northgate Church, details below
Monday, October 24, 7:00 p.m.
Trustee Meeting, open to the Public
Monday October 31, 6-8 p.m. Trick or Treat in Berkshire
6 - 7:15 p.m. in Galena, 6-8 p.m. in Sunbury
Please drive slowly and watch for our children!
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NOVEMBER 2016
Thursday, November 3, 7:00 p.m.
Zoning Board Meeting, open to the public
Monday, November 7, 7:00 p.m.
Trustee Meeting, open to the public
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8th ELECTION DAY
Thursday, November 10th, 7:00 p.m.
Park Meeting, Open to the public
Monday, November 14th, 7:00 p.m.
Trustee Meeting, open to the public
Thursday, November 17th, 7:00 p.m.
Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting scheduled.
Open to the public. Check the week before to confirm.
Monday, November 28, 7:00 p.m.
Trustee Meeting, open to the public
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*All the events listed on the
Calendar of Events are held at the
Berkshire Township Hall
1454 Rome Corners Road
Galena, OH 43021
unless otherwise noted
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SPECIAL MEETING SUMMARY FROM SEPT. 19th AND NOTICE OF THE ODOT PUBLIC MEETING ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20th
On Sept. 19th the trustees held a special public meeting to discuss our position on the ODOT/TRAC application made by a developer to build a southern exit off I-71 on land recently annexed by Sunbury. At issue is the proposed use of $16.5 million dollars, created by an agreement between Tanger/Simon, Berkshire Township, the County and ODOT, which we believe was earmarked to be used for future (much needed) improvements at the existing interchange. The TRAC application states that the funds will be taken to use on the new exit, with NO FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS at the existing exit. We strongly disagree with this use of the monies. Residents have been sent a letter regarding our position, as well as a return postcard to sign and return if they are in agreement with the trustees on the issue. If you agree, and have not returned your postcard yet, PLEASE DO SO ASAP. We need them in our hands by October 12th, please. You may click here for a link to a copy of that letter.
On the same subject, hundreds of you attended a public meeting held by ODOT back in April. Options being considered for a southern exit were presented, and input sought. A preferred plan has been chosen and will be presented at a second public meeting:
ODOT MEETING, THURSDAY OCTOBER 20th 5:00 - 7:00 P.M.
NORTHGATE CHURCH ON S.R. 37 (across from Cracker Barrel)
We urge concerned residents to attend this meeting, and once again ask questions, share opinions and let your voices be heard. The letter linked above will familiarize you with your township officials' opinions and concerns, and hopefully clarify what we believe is at stake. Hope to see you there on the 20th.
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Soil testing of land for a park was completed and the results were good; Nothing to keep us from moving ahead with this exciting project. A second meeting was held Monday October 3rd. Matt Simpson, RLA, Sr. Planner for Preservation Parks of Delaware County presented a plan for the park which incorporated all our suggestions and then some.
Your township wants to see this park become a reality, and need more residents to be involved and be "visioneers."
The next meeting will be Thursday, November 10th at 7:00 p.m. at the township hall. We're asking participants to do some research, in person or online about shelter structures and natural playground concepts. Visit other local parks, take photos, get pricing ideas and come prepared to form committees with specific interests to kick-off our plans. If you have neighbors or friends who might be interested, please have them contact
[email protected]
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Court Decision on Ownership of Galena Cemetery Reached
In a decision issued on Friday Sept. 16, Delaware County Court of Common Pleas Judge David M. Gormley ruled the Village of Galena is responsible for the care and maintenance of Galena Cemetery.
In January 2015 the Village of Galena officials first proposed an Ordinance (2015-02) to explore changing the boundaries of Berkshire Township to exclude the Village of Galena.
When seeking counsel about what this would mean for the township, the trustees were advised by various legal authorities, including the office of the Ohio Attorney General, that the township should not have been legally responsible for the cemetery it has been maintaining since the Village was incorporated as a municipality in 1920.
When the township informed Galena that it had been advised that it could legally no longer be responsible for the cemetery, since it lies completely within the village borders, the village disagreed and the issue ended up in court.
Gormley’s decision was based on the location of Galena cemetery.
He wrote that the Attorney General “has treated this situation as similar to one in which annexation causes a cemetery owned by a township to become part of a municipality. When that happens, the municipality becomes the cemetery’s owner.”
According to the judge,“The Attorney General also opined that it is irrelevant whether or not the municipal corporation wishes to accept the cemetery property."
“Because Galena Cemetery is located in the Village of Galena, the title to, right of possession, and responsibility for the maintenance and care of Galena Cemetery is vested in the Village of Galena,” Gormley concluded.
Berkshire Township trustees are relieved that this issue has been decided and have reached out to the Village of Galena regarding a transfer of the records and historical documents pertaining to the cemetery.
Remaining claims on cemetery records for the care of the cemetery will go before the court on December 6th.
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Congratulations to our Photo Contest Winners!
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We have so much talent on our township, and we received many excellent photos for our photo contest. We are in the process of creating two artworks for the township hall which will incorporate several of these photos.
Thank you to all who took the time to enter, and we look forward to sharing the finished artwork with the residents both online and at the hall in the near future.
Congratulations to:
Marvin Gee
Susan Holtry
Jim Litzinger
Susan Stanton
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TUES. NOV. 8 ELECTION DAY 2106
- Final day to register to vote is Tuesday October 11
- Early voting in-person or by mail begins Wednesday October 12
- Deadline for early voting is Monday November 7
Berkshire Township has three (3) different voting precincts. If you are unsure which precinct you are registered in, here is a link to the Delaware County Board of Elections website where you can locate your precinct.
There are two (2) different poll locations for Berkshire Township residents
Precinct A
Northgate Church
7097 SR 37 E
Sunbury, OH
Precincts B and C
Berkshire Township Hall
1454 Rome Corners Rd.
Galena, OH 43021
POLLS ARE OPEN TUESDAY NOV. 8
FROM 6:30 A.M. UNTIL 7:30 P.M.
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Questions about Republic Waste Services days of pick-up, recycling rules, etc.? For your convenience a link to a copy of their mailer is provided to the right. Please contact Republic directly with any issues or concerns.
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Berkshire Township, 1454 Rome Corners Rd. Galena, OH 43021
|740-965-9397
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