Westside Messenger - May 15th, 2022

PAGE 6 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - May 15, 2022
Township Focus
www.columbusmessenger.com
Trustees try to protect
properties from flooding
By Amanda Ensinger
Staff Writer
As flooding continues to occur in certain
neighborhoods in the township, the Prairie
Township trustees are taking action to protect
future properties.
At a recent meeting, the board approved
and signed a letter to the Ohio Emergency
Management Agency addressing the proposed
Darby Crossing project at 6145 West
Broad St. in Galloway.
“This letter addresses the potential
issues for Prairie Township and its residents
including flooding and drainage
issues, as well as access to homes during
emergency responses,” said Prairie
Township Administrator James Jewell. “A
letter was sent to the Ohio Housing
Finance Agency by the board in January
addressing the same concerns of the proposed
project.”
According to Jewell, the project located
on West Broad is going to be partially residential
and partially commercial.
“The issue is flooding on Elnora and
Tamara and this project could make these
issues worse,” Jewell said.
Residents also asked for an update on
the Pleasant-Prairie Solar Project.
“According to Prairie Township’s legal
counsel, all parties have agreed to the stipulations
that have been set,” Jewell said.
“The parties include Prairie Township,
Pleasant Township, Metro Parks, No
Prairie Solar, and Pleasant Prairie Solar
Energy LLC. There is an easement that the
company needs from Metro Parks for collection
lines. That is currently in negotiations.
Hopefully the easement requirements
do not contradict the agreed upon
stipulations. Once the easement is signed,
there will be a public meeting held by the
Ohio Power Siting Board.”
The 250-megwatt 1,700-acre solar farm
has been a point of contention for residents
who oppose the project. Spearheaded by
Invenergy, the project will take place on
farmland that has been leased for a period
of 40 years and will stretch across Prairie
and Pleasant townships.
The project is expected to move forward.
Catalytic theft on the rise
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By Amanda Ensinger
Staff Writer
Residents on the westside are reporting
a rise in catalytic converter theft and the
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is working
hard to address the issue.
At a recent Prairie Township board
meeting, Franklin County Sheriff’s
Deputy Burton Haren gave an update on
what they are trying to do to stop these
thefts.
“Last week, deputies were able to make
an arrest on an individual cutting catalytic
converters off vehicles,” Haren said. “The
deputy found the individual with the related
tools.”
Haren also informed residents that they
have been working on several traffic complaints
throughout the township and plan
to set up speed trailers in the coming
weeks.
Director of the Prairie Township
Community Center Michael Pollack also
asked the board to approve installing a
new camera in the pool area.
“The quote includes a camera with four
lenses and sensors and the necessary
mounting hardware,” Pollack said. “The
cost of the quote, provided by Sound
Communications, is $3,336. Extra hard
drive storage is needed as well as a case to
house the upgraded storage. This additional
cost is $577.”
Pollack also asked the board to approve
a quote from Silco Fire and Security for a
new wireless DSC security system. This
upgraded security system will include new
door controls for the front doors that will
now allow key fob access.
“They will be using existing wiring for a
new security system that is being replaced
due to the current one being unreliable and
not properly reporting faults when the
alarm is set off,” Pollack said. “The cost of
equipment is $8,025 and the cost of the
access control is $3,762 for a total quote of
$11,787.”
In other news, township leaders are
planning ahead and already thinking
about the winter. Prairie Township Service
Director Dave McAninch recommended the
board approve a resolution with ODOT for
salt purchases for the winter of 2022/2023.
McAninch recommended the township purchase
200 tons and said the township used
approximately 250-300 tons in 2021.
McAninch also asked the board to
approve a resolution to use $10,000 from
the American Rescue Plan Act Fund to
replace all existing Hometown Hero
Banners and any new applications.
“This money will be used to replace different
banners along the Broad Street corridor
that have weathered over time,” he
said. “The new banners are $75 each, so we
will be refunding $25 to the three new
applicants.”