The October e-Grapevine 🍇

Issue 1 on November Ballot will Build Two Fire Stations with

No Interruption of Service

The bond levy on the ballot for November 3, 2020 is a responsible .6 mill levy ($21.00 per $100k taxable property value) that will result in $8 million over 26 years for the construction of two new fire stations. Amy Dawson, Fiscal Officer, has a strong history of paying off debt early and anticipates continuing to do so with this bond as well. The remainder of funds required to construct the stations will come from the JEDD Fund and existing revenue sources. There is no extra money in this ask. The Trustees are acting to ensure strong financial health for the future of our Township community.

Concord Township Fire Station construction will not interrupt service as Station 1 would be built across the street from the current station 1; and, station 2 at the current location on Prouty Road. (Click here to view the station designs.) Both stations will be operating during the new station construction so our residents would see no interruption in current services. “Our main priority is the safety of our citizens and firefighters,” said Matt Sabo, O.F.E. Fire Chief. In Chief Sabo’s opinion, “This levy is so important for the safety of our community and first responders in that it allows us to take action now. Since our stations were built in the 1960’s, and were not built to house a full-time fire department, the need is urgent for these new stations.”

“We would like the community to understand that the Township DOES NOT have the funds available to construct Station 2 now. We currently have $2.5 million cash on hand,” stated Amy Dawson, Fiscal Officer. She continued, "As we stated at the past two Trustee meetings, we would have to save funds for Station 2, which would significantly delay the project.” New, up-to-code fire stations will improve response times making our community safer while keeping our first responders healthy and safe from carcinogens.

One of most important things our Fire Dept. has learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic is the importance of control zones. Currently, Concord has only one zone — a "hot zone" — with no decontamination, storage or cleaning area for personal protective equipment. Fire departments are now designed to have three zones to allow for safe decontamination and control of hazardous materials which allow for removal from personnel after any exposure. Retrieving equipment stored in other buildings currently slows response time. The current buildings do not have enough space to properly store or care for township equipment.

The Concord Fire Department provides emergency services, personnel and facilities that are needed for the pure purpose of saving lives and property.

Please contact us with any questions:

Please feel free to contact Fire Chief Sabo at 440-354-7503 or firechief@concordtwp.com, Township Administrator Andy Rose at (440) 354-7513 or arose@concordtwp.com or our trustees at the following:

Morgan McIntosh mcintosh@concordtwp.com

Carl Dondorfer cdondorfer@concordtwp.com

Amy Lucci alucci@concordtwp.com

Learn more about the fire station project at our website concordtwp.com or visit us on Facebook.

Our Firefighters Serve our Community in Many Ways!

To learn more about everything our fire department does for the residents of Concord, tune in to a Minute with the Chiefs each week by following us on Facebook. Our chiefs have shared the many ways our fire department serves the Concord Township community, such as building and school inspections, EMS operations, and how the firefighters jobs have evolved to now include training with active violence incidents and the training they receive for that. If you ever have any questions, our chiefs or firefighters are happy to talk to you and answer them. They love serving our community! Message them or email them at firechief@concordtwp.com.

Keeping our community & Firefighters safe

The purpose of a decontamination zone is to keep contaminants contained to specific areas. This includes the removal of contaminants from a firefighter's body. It is critical to keep contaminants from reaching the living quarters of the station--and even the firefighters' homes.

The new station design allows for a decontamination zone.

The photo below was taken after the 8.25.2020 fire. Our firefighters are trying to decontaminate a fire hose. Notice the black debris coming off the hoses.

This photo was taken just weeks ago immediately following a structural fire on 8.25.2020. This is currently how our firefighters try to clean and decontaminate their gear by hanging it in the bays. In the winter, this is even more difficult. The fire station has only 1 zone--A HOT zone which makes it impossible to safely remove carcinogens from gear, equipment and from firefighters themselves.

Service Department

The Service Department would like to thank the residents throughout the Township for their patience and understanding during our construction season. As the Service Department transitions into fall, we continue to make necessary repairs to roads while the weather permits and begin to ready our equipment for the winter months. Residents are reminded to slow down and move over when approaching work zones.

The Yard Waste dumpster, located at the Service Department, will continue to be available until November 30^th 2020 from 7:30am-2:30pm Monday thru Friday. In addition to the Yard Waste dumpster, the Service Dept. will be having the annual Brush Day collection Saturday, October 17^th 2020 from 7:30am – 2:30pm. The Brush drop off will be a little different this year due to Covid-19, we ask residents to remain in their vehicle and allow our staff to unload the vehicle. This will help keep everyone socially distanced and keep residents and staff safe. Another upcoming event is the annual Leaf Curbside pickup, which will take place on November 23, 2020 beginning at 6am. Residents should have their yard waste bags at the curb by 6am on the 23^rd.

The Service Department reminds residents that have any questions or concerns, to call us at 440-350-3225 or email at tbrown@concordtwp.com. We hope everyone has a safe and healthy fall season.

Concord Township Cemetery

Fall Clean Up

Decoration Removals:

November 1st will be the next grave site clean out. A sign will be posted near the exit signs two (2) weeks prior to clean up. One (1) artificial decoration per occupied gravesite – November 15th-March 31st.

Please allow two (2) weeks to be sure removal has been completed before placing a new decoration; items in an urn or on a monument will not be removed unless items pertain to a past holiday or they are unkempt.

One (1) steel rod hanger (shepherd’s hook) is permitted per monument; hangers shall be placed flush at the side of the monument; all hangers must have a visible decoration on the hook at all times for the safety of those walking by the hanger.

Wooden Crosses:

Wooden crosses shall not exceed 24” above the ground, 12” in width and are temporarily permitted to mark the location of gravesites under the following circumstances only:

If a permanent monument has not yet been placed
Mark any monument under 18” tall from November 15th-March 31st

Columbarium Deccorations:

Columbarium decorations (such as holiday, medals, etc.) are not permitted on individual niches.
Funeral flowers, live or artificial, and any other decoration(s) at the time of burial are left at the base of the columbarium for three (3) days; decorations are then removed by the Cemetery Department.

Please contact the Cemetery Office should you have any questions or concerns at 440-354-7518.

Congratulations to the Concord Garden Club celebrating their 59^th Anniversary in October 2020!

Recreation Department

Catch the Spirit of Halloween and go on a Halloween HUNT! Kids (and parents) are invited to dress up in their favorite costumes and hop in the car to follow a treasure map to collect treats around Concord Township.

Families drive to specific locations and remain in their car as they are handed treats at each stop. Each location will be decorated for the event, and volunteers will be ready to safely hand out prepackaged treats. Drivers are asked to pay close attention to enter and exit signs, and slowly & safely navigate thru each location’s parking lot, as well as from one location to the next.

The Halloween HUNT will proceed regardless of the weather, so please dress accordingly. The Halloween Hunt Map will be available at www.concordtwp.com in early October. There is no cost to participate, and families do not need to pre-register.

Halloween HUNT Participating Locations (in alphabetical order):