Westside Messenger - May 30th, 2021

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PAGE 2 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - May 30, 2021 www.columbusmessenger.com Summer Reading Challenge offered at local libraries Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) will offer an allonline Summer Reading Challenge beginning May 29 and concluding July 31. PLEASE GET VACCINATED for Everyone’s Safety Malek & ATTORNEYS AT LAW Malek Enter the Million Dollar Drawing www.ohiovaxamillion.com WORKERS’ COMPENSATION PERSONAL INJURY WRONGFUL DEATH SLIP & FALL INJURY DOG BITE INJURY Douglas, Ed, Jim and Kip Malek “Hablamos Español” FREE Initial Consultation www.maleklawfirm.com 614-444-7440 1227 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43206 Summer Reading Challenge is CML’s signature program to keep young readers from losing critical literacy skills during the summer months. Loss of these skills is often referred to as summer slide, and places children at a distinct learning disadvantage once school begins again in August. “This pandemic has deeply impacted our young minds and their ability to learn,” said CML Public Services Director Kathy Shahbodaghi. “Helping them get back on track starts with books and reading. This is especially critical during the out-ofschool months.” Due to the ongoing pandemic, this year’s nineweek program will once again be offered with several modifications put in place to ensure the community’s health and safety. Changes include: •The program will be online only through Free produce market The Mid-Ohio Foodbank and the Knights of Columbus Santa Maria Council #2898 will host a free SOLAR PROJECT Continued from page 1 land, making it useless for future development,” said Larry Krist, Prairie Township resident. “As a home rule township, Prairie Township should be upset that our input is minimal for this project. This project is a big deal, it is going to last 40 years and be as big as a small town or village.” Residents expressed concerns about the construction noise during the two years it will take for the project to be built, the close proximity of the solar panels to their properties, the impact this will have on drinking water and how this will negatively impact the animals that roam the region. The proposed solar project is for a 250-megwatt 1,700-acre solar farm that would stretch across Prairie and Pleasant townships. Spearheaded by Invenergy, the project would take place on farmland that has been leased for a period of 40 years. The project will be about 16 times larger than downtown Columbus and have a major impact on the region that has boasted a quaint country life next to the 14th largest city in the country. Residents enjoy the best of both worlds; they get to live in a natural area while having all the amenities of a major city a few miles away. Residents argued that Prairie Township is not the right location for a project like this and it should be in an industrial site or a region zoned commercial. “If you go along the freeway, that is typically where you see these projects,” said Greg Hart of Pleasant Township. “This is going to change Prairie and Pleasant township for the worst. We don’t want it. There are so many opportunities to have it other places that won’t effect so many people.” Residents also had concerns about the property values of their homes, saying that someday when they sell their homes, no one is going to want to buy them if they are next to a large project like this. “If you are saying no one’s property values will be impacted, then give us a bond and guarantee our property values are protected,” said John Harrison, Prairie Township resident. “We already have preexisting flooding, and this is going to make it worse. Give us a bond guaranteeing there won’t be additional flooding.” Other residents said they moved to the township for columbuslibrary.org/summerreading and with the free READsquared app (available on iOS and Android devices). Customers of all ages can use the app to log in and track activity just like on CML’s website. •CML is not currently offering any in-person programs at its 23 locations. CML will instead offer a calendar of free virtual events. •The VolunTeen program, which enables 12 to 17-yearolds to help with customer sign-ups and programs, has been canceled. •CML will mail participants a Game Board with activities and a free book while supplies last. Participants will complete reading goals to be entered into raffle drawings for gift cards and other prizes along the way. A raffle at the end of the program includes kids’ bikes, helmets and locks for the 5-11 age group. Customers of all ages can log in starting May 29. For more information, visit www.columbuslibrary.org. community events produce market the fourth Friday of each month through the end of October at St. Agnes Church, 2364 West Mound St. in Columbus from 3 to 5 p.m. beautiful views and this project would ruin that. “I enjoy the country lifestyle and have creek frontage,” said Doug Buttrick of Prairie Township. “I want to watch deer cross my property, go rabbit hunting, deer hunting and catch fish in the creek. When I look out my door I see trees everywhere, all those trees will be cut down because they will put shade on their solar panels. You won’t see any animals anymore, it is going to be awful.” These concerns have caused Prairie Township, Pleasant Township and Franklin County Metro Parks to become interveners in this project, meaning they can address concerns with Invenergy and ask them to make modifications to the project. Prairie Township Attorney Peter Griggs said that county and township zoning laws cannot be applied to large energy projects and the Ohio Power Siting Board has the final say if the project can proceed. Currently, Invenergy has an application for the project submitted to the board and a decision will be made later in the summer or early fall if the project can proceed. Prairie Township trustee Stephen Kennedy said based on what he has seen in the past, he thinks they will approve the project. “I think this project is coming, so it is better to have a conversation with Invenergy and ask for changes to the project before it is too late,” Kennedy said. “I am neutral on this project, I believe in property rights and I don’t think we should tell a property owner what they can do with their land.” Kennedy added that this is a state project and as a result, it trumps all zoning laws. Representatives from Invenergy did not comment throughout the meeting but were in attendance. The only comment that was made by the group was that they don’t believe there will be any impact on water quality as a result of the project. Any additional interveners have until June 25 to submit concerns about the project. Residents can attend a virtual public meeting July 19 to address the Ohio Power Sitting Board about concerns about the project. The township also plans to update its website with additional information about the project in the coming weeks.
www.columbusmessenger.com Township Focus May 30, 2021 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - PAGE 3 Prairie Township could pay more for safety services By Amanda Ensinger Staff Writer Prairie Township will see an increase in police services. At a recent meeting, Prairie Township Administrator Rob Peters asked the board to approve the 2021 police service agreement with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. “This agreement sets the terms for the police services in the township and is valid from Jan. 1, 2021 through Dec. 31, 2021,” Peters said. “The cost for 2021 is $82,973 per month.” The annual contract cost would not to exceed $1.02 million. This is an increase over previous years. In 2017 the contract was $858,550, in 2018 the contract was $890,938, in 2019 the contract was $910,363, and in 2020 the contract was $971,801. “This agreement will include two dedicated cars 24 hours a day, seven days a week and one dedicated car 16 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Major Carl Hickey with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. “Other services include access to the swat team, bomb team, bike unit, and other services of the sheriff’s office.” The biggest reason for an increase in the contract each year can be attributed to staffing costs, rising fuel costs and inflation, according to the sheriff’s office. The trustees decided to table the resolution for further discussion before moving forward with the renewal. In other township news, the board approved the use of two-hour pool rentals on weekends to provide patrons and members an opportunity to have recreation swimming. “Rental times would be Saturdays from 12:45 to 2:45 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 1:15 to 3:15 pm. .and 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.,” said Michael Pollack, director of the community center. “The charge for the rental times would be $160 for residents/members and $190 for non-residents.” Pollack also asked the board to update its current pool policy to allow two people in the same household to use a lap lane or a deep-water lane. He said this change can now occur because of the drop in COVID-19 cases. The board also discussed the 2021 voluntary sidewalk program. Township updates minutes The program, which has taken place for over 15 years, offers township property owners a 10-year interest free loan to repair their sidewalks. The loans are added to property taxes. Previously the program was entirely voluntary, but in recent years the township added a component to the program where they make residents replace sidewalks that are dangerous. Also, residents can report sidewalks that need to be repaired. A few other revisions to the program in recent years include that there is a minimum cost of $450 to repair any sidewalk and residents need to replace more than one slab of a sidewalk. However, last year the program was made all voluntary as a result of the financial situation many Americans are facing. “We didn’t want to make someone’s financial situation harder,” Peters said. “Unless their sidewalk was very dangerous and really needed replaced, we made it voluntary.” Peters said the board agreed to make the program voluntary this year again because of the financial impact COVID-19 has continued to have on many residents. JEFFREY P. COMPTON ATTORNEY AT LAW General Practice Personal Injury • Domestic Probate • Wills Power of Attorney Healthcare Documents FREE CONSULT & PARKING 614-875-7233 Fax: 929-474-9475 1665 London-Groveport Rd., Grove City www.jeffreypcompton.com Email: jcompton@jeffreypcompton.com By Amanda Ensinger Staff Writer A local township has caught up on its meeting minutes. After months of debating how to present the minutes to the public, Franklin Township has posted its meeting minutes in audio and in writing. The update occurred this month after months of back and forth with the fiscal office over when the minutes would be updated. However, before the written minutes were approved, the board did voice some concern with the fiscal office over posting the notes in writing on the website before they approved them. “The minutes were posted online, but who has the authority to put them online,” asked Trustee John Fleshman. “There should be a resolution to approve them before posting them online. Minutes were posted without approval of the board.” Trustee Aryeh Alex added that during a recent meeting, a resolution stated that the meeting minutes should be written and approved by the board before posted online. Fleshman asked why the minutes were online without the board’s permission. He added that the board should know what goes out on the website and who has access to it. “Going forward, I think only one person should have access to the website to post meeting minutes,” Fleshman said. “I think the township administrator should be the only person who should post these minutes online.” The board agreed to leave the current minutes and audio recordings online, but further minutes would have to be approved before they are posted. In other news, Franklin Township Fire Chief James Welch stated his recommendation to have Franklin Township turn the building department back over to the state and have Captain Todd Broecker return to duties in the fire department. “The building department was started because it was hoped there would be a lot of money involved, but I feel there is not a lot moving and we need Todd’s help in the fire department,” Welch said. “If the building department is turned over to the state, Franklin Township would be hands-off over the commercial building.” Welch said that the state auditor has already cautioned about having the fire department intertwined with the building department in regards to funding. “I feel it would be best to have someone in the building department other than fire department personnel,” he said. While the trustees agreed to discuss this in the future meeting, trustees Alex and Ralph Horn said if the township keeps the building department, they feel the township needs to bring on a full-time administrative assistant in order to handle the workload, otherwise they could give it to the state. EZZO SAUSAGE COMPANY HAS IMMEDIATE OPENINGS! Ezzo Sausage Company, a 100-year old family owned sausage and pepperoni manufacturer, is looking for production/processing workers with a drive to get things done to join our growing team. Ezzo Sausage Company, located at 683 Manor Park Dr. in Columbus, is taking applications for immediate hire. We offer great pay, overtime, fully paid medical benefits (after 30 days), a great dental plan and monthly attendance bonuses! Join us and find out what Ezzo Sausage Company is all about! Call 614-445-8841 for more information or stop by at 683 Manor Park Drive and fill out an application.
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Westside Messenger - May 30th, 2021

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