Ahhh, February, the month of LOVE, leaps, groundhogs and Presidents! February 2024 is indeed a leap year which means we get an extra day! Don’t forget to check if Phil sees his shadow tomorrow too. And, of course, spoil that special someone on the 14th!

With winter weather still upon us, our road crews and service department are working hard to keep our roads safe and clear. We are partnered with Painesville Township for the joint road repair program. This allows us to take advantage of streamlined pricing and coordinate on multiple projects within our communities. 

We welcome Concord Sports Plex, and Sheetz which both opened at the end of 2023. Looking forward, we are excited to new businesses opening in Concord Township later this year. Little Mountain Creamery is scheduled to open late summer and Johnny’s Auto Spa + Detail is expected to make our vehicles clean dry and shiny by mid-summer.

We had a great turn out of residents at the new coffee hour with the administrator. Thank you to all who joined. The next session will be held on Thursday, February 22 at 9:00-10:30 am at the Concord Community Center (7671 Auburn Rd, 44077). Coffee and pastries supplied!

Our Trustees, Fiscal Officer, and some members of our staff are looking forward to attending the Ohio Township Association conference this month. This is an opportunity to connect with other Township leaders across the state and attend valuable training and education sessions.

The biggest challenge in 2024 is the underfunded budget for safety. Township leaders and department heads are continuing to streamline areas and look for ways to work with our budget to minimize impact to our residents and maximize the use of our equipment. Please continue to watch our Trustee meetings and let us know if you have any questions or concerns. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for important updates.

Concord Township is the lowest taxed township in Lake County. Despite the changes in Concord over the last 20 years, our safety budget has not increased in seven years for police, EMS and fire. Unfortunately, that same budget from 2016 now requires a reduction of service to operate with the higher costs in 2024.

After the failure of our November 2023 Safety Services Levy, we are in a position that requires us to make difficult decisions. The township will remain transparent with the main priority of keeping our residents safe and taking the best care we can of our community. In the upcoming days and weeks, we will communicate solutions for our safety services. Please stay tuned and as always, visit us during office hours, attend or watch a trustee meeting, or reach out personally with a call or text with questions or concerns.

YOUTH PROGRAMS

Paint a Planter, Grow a Plant Children's Workshop

Hosted by Maple Ridge Nursery and Greenhouse

Children will paint a terracotta pot and plant their own houseplant to take home. While enjoying the activity, we will also teach participants how to care for their house plant through proper feeding, watering, lighting and cleaning. All programs are hosted by Maple Ridge Nursery and Greenhouse Children 10 and under should be accompanied by an adult.

Martial Arts

Mind & Body Martial Arts utilizes the traditional art of Taekwondo as its base material combined with the circular self-defense style of Hapkido along with the stamina, footwork, and dynamic striking power of American Kickboxing. Student Uniform & Student Manual provided upon acceptance into the program (with paid tuition). www.mbmartialarts.com



You may register up to four months in advance. All new students receive their first month of training free of charge!

This monthly martial arts training program is offered in traditional group format on both Tuesday and Thursday evenings each week.

Program, Ages 8 to 12: 6:00 p.m. to 6:430 p.m.

Make & Takes Classes

Make and take Valentine Soap

Get ready for some family fun with our simple melt and pour techniques! Create the perfect Valentine's Day soap for you and your sweetie or make it a double date with your bestie. Craft adorable heart-shaped soaps and add a special message to show your love. Plus, our soap base is completely chemical and detergent-free!

• Ages 5 to 101
• Make 3 Valentine soaps
• Pick your fragrances
• Pick your colors
• Mix and match
• Micas are dye free. Choose essential oils or natural fragrance oils.

$35/person - Monday, February 12, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm.

ADULT PROGRAMS

Martial Arts

Mind & Body Martial Arts utilizes the traditional art of Taekwondo as its base material combined with the circular self-defense style of Hapkido along with the stamina, footwork, and dynamic striking power of American Kickboxing. Uniform and student manual provided upon acceptance into the program with paid tuition. All students must be barefoot and in uniform to attend class. All new students receive their first month of training free of charge! Instructor: Master Ciro Grandini, 6th Degree Black Belt

Tuesdays and Thursdays 7 PM - 8:30 PM $70R/$75 NR

Gentle Yoga

Gentle yoga is hatha yoga performed at a slower pace, with less intense positions, and includes extended time for yogic breath work, and relaxation. This class is all sitting and reclined poses, no standing. Great for all levels. Bring your mat and wear comfortable clothes. Instructor, Melissa Hopper

Tuesdays, February 6-February 20        9:00-10:15 A                          

Thursday, February 1-February 22        9:00-10:15 A           $75 R/$80 NR

Chair Yoga

Chair yoga is a gentle form of yoga sitting on a chair or standing on the ground while using the chair for support. Benefits of chair yoga include. Improved flexibility. Better concentration. Increased strength. Dress in casual, comfortable clothing. All levels are welcome! Instructor, Melissa Hopper.

Thursdays, February 1 - February 22        10:30-11:15 AM        $30/Residents Only

Pilates-Yoga Fusion

Pilates-Yoga Fusion: this fitness system combines the practices of Pilates and Yoga, designed to build strength in the core and improve flexibility & balance. This class is low-impact and no experience is required. Please bring a yoga mat and water. Instructor: Colleen Stone

Wednesday, February 2 - February 28    5:30-6:30 P           $65 R/$70 NR

ADAPTED RECREATION

Paint a Planter, Grow a Plant

Participants will paint a terracotta pot and plant their own houseplant to take home. While enjoying the activity, we will also teach participants how to care for their house plant through proper feeding, watering, lighting and cleaning.

All programs are hosted by Maple Ridge Nursery and Greenhouse

Saturday 2/10 2:30 PM 3:30 PM

St. Patrick's Day Dance

Calling all Irish! Wear your green and join us for the first fun St. Patrick’s Day dance. Refreshments included.

Friday 3/15 6 PM - 8 PM

If you have any questions about programs, please call the us at 440-639-4650. 

Fit 4 Life Physical Therapy

(7555 Fredle Drive, Suite 240; Concord, Ohio 44077)

Please join us for our next FREE community event, scheduled for Thursday February 15th, from 7-8 pm at Fit 4 Life Physical Therapy.

We will be presenting on new technology we now have available to do gait assessments for walking and running by using sensors placed in temporary insoles of clients shoes. The product is called Digitsole. Come see for yourself how these assessments work and the information we get from putting individuals through these brief tests.

These assessments will provide valuable information for injury prevention in all active adults who wish to prevent falls all the way up to run faster. Participants are welcome to come learn about this new technology. Space is limited and we expect this event to fill up quickly. Please RSVP by calling the office at 440-340-3717

We Believe Your Story Matters (fit4lifephysicaltherapyohio.com)

 Interested in having your Concord Business be part of our monthly spotlight? 

Contact the Recreation department to find out information on how to get involved!

The Service Department continues to maintain Township roadways and respond to snow and ice events during the winter months. Our crews, when not out making the roads safe for winter travel, are busy maintaining equipment, performing maintenance to storm water easements and ditch lines, and evaluating roadways for the upcoming construction season. The Service Department performs several road maintenance tasks such as concrete slab replacements to our concrete roadways, preventative maintenance to our asphalt roadways such as crack sealing, and dura-patching. Service Department personnel do these tasks in house.



The Service Department’s Snow Barricade program is very popular with residents that wish to protect their mailbox from heavy snow damaging the mailbox. Residents that would like to have a Snow Barricade installed can fill out the Snow Barricade Application found at Town Hall or on the Concord website under forms and applications. The cost of the Snow Barricade is $50. Once The Service Department receives the application, the request is placed on the schedule and is usually installed within 10 days of receiving the application.

Concord Township every year enters into a joint road resurfacing project with Painesville Township and the Lake County Engineers office to acquire the best pricing on road resurfacing helping to spread township tax dollars further. The 2024 Joint Road Resurfacing project this year will include Viewmont Dr, Page Dr, and Winchell Rd. These roads will receive asphalt resurfacing along with necessary depth repairs. Winchell Rd. will also receive culvert replacements prior to resurfacing. Additionally added to the project is a Reclimite rejuvenator treatment to eleven roadways that were previously paved within the last four years. The rejuvenator reactivates the maltines in the asphalt to prevent premature breakdown and sealing the asphalt from water infiltration which will prolong the life of the asphalt roadway.

The Service Department also works closely with the Lake County Storm Water Department to maintain and enhance storm water runoff throughout the township. A portion of Concord taxes goes to the Lake County Storm Water Department and is used to help fund storm water enhancements and maintenance projects within the Township.

The Service Department reminds residents with any questions or concerns to contact us at 440-350-3225 or email at tbrown@concordtwp.com.

Greetings from the Chief’s Office

Thank you, Concord Township! I am very excited to announce that we have officially moved into our new firehouse at 11599 Concord-Hambden Road! Thank you for providing your Fire Department with a safer facility for our firefighters and allowing us to deliver much more support to our community.  

For those who have served Concord Fire, I recognize that there are many memories left behind in the old firehouse that has served Concord Township so well since 1966. I also want to personally thank everyone who was able to attend our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House in November. If you were not able to attend but wish to tour the new station, please call us at 440-354-7504 to schedule a tour. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about emergency services offered in Concord Township and get to know your firefighters and paramedics.

While our safety levy did not pass in the fall, we are still committed to giving high-quality emergency services to our residents. As this has been a humble experience, I look forward to having more opportunities to connect with our residents. My goal is to have many opportunities to share and answer residents' questions. In 2024, our traditional way of service delivery might look and feel different. A few examples might be a reduction in public education, elimination of overtime, and possibly altered transportation locations based on staffing, call volume, and weather. Our patients will always be transported to the most appropriate facility given their condition. We remain committed to serving our community with the best emergency services you deserve.  Don't hesitate to contact me or Deputy Chief Biddell at 440-354-7504 with any questions or if you want to sit, chat, and share a cup of Firehouse coffee.  

I leave you with this little-known fact about the Concord Township Fire Department. The department was established in 1948, and we celebrated our 75th Anniversary last year. Since then, over 300 firefighters have served as members of our department. We currently have 52 members, and of those, 11 are residents of Concord Township.  

Please follow the Concord Township Fire Department on Facebook and Nextdoor. The Concord Township website is also a great resource to help you keep up with who we are, what we do, and what is happening. I wish you all a happy and blessed 2024!

Kindest Regards,

Matt Sabo

Fire Chief

2023 Summary of Zoning Department Activities

The following information includes year-end statistics regarding the zoning board activities, permits, and other zoning inspector activities. The zoning boards are made up of citizens selected by the Board of Trustees, and are appointed to review and make determinations or recommendations on planning and zoning matters assigned to them. The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) is a quasi-judicial body that hears requests for variances to the strict application of the Zoning Resolution. The BZA also hears requests for Area and Use Variances, Appeals of the Zoning Inspector’s Decisions, and Conditional Uses. The Zoning Commission provides formal recommendations to the Board of Trustees on amendments to the Zoning Resolution text and the zoning map. The board also reviews applications for Site Plan Review for commercial, non-residential, and multi-family projects. These citizens provide a valuable service to the Township by sharing their expertise and perspective.

Activity for this year was as follows:

• The Board of Zoning Appeals took action on 20 cases.
• The Zoning Commission took action on two site plan review applications. The two projects approved included a new Public Safety Training Building at the Auburn Career Center, and the second was for the tunnel carwash and ice cream parlor.
• The Zoning Commission also held public hearings for three zoning amendments.

The Zoning Inspector finished the 2023 year with processing 382 zoning permit applications, which is 19 less than in 2022. Click here to see a breakdown of zoning permits by type. The average number of zoning permits processed since 2012 is 361 permits per year. The total number of new dwelling units was down from 2022. Eighty-eight (88) new dwelling units were approved in 2023, 25 less than in 2022. The average number of new dwelling units approved since 2010 is 71 per year.

Commercial construction activity compared to last year was about the same. There were two zoning permit issued for new construction. These new buildings included a new Sheetz store, Johnny’s Auto Spa and Detail, and Little Mountain Creamery.

Additionally for the year 2023 the Zoning Inspector performed 984 zoning permit inspections for properties with open zoning permits, and received 164 complaints about potential zoning violations.

History Wanted!



We are always looking for family history in the Concord Cemetery on State Route 608 and the Stickney Cemetery on Route 86. We would love to hear about your family! Please email kwarner@concordtwp.com to tell your story.

Should you have any questions please feel to contact the cemetery department: cemeteries@concordtwp.com or call Karen at 440-354-7518.

Concord Township, Lake County, OH | P: 440.354.7510 | F: 440.354.7511 | www.concordtwp.com