Pictured is Madison East with the Batavia Township Trustees at their Nov. 6, 2019 board meeting. The trustees prepared a proclamation for East, a sophomore at West Clermont High School, for her Bill Brewer Memorial Garden in the township's community park.

Rex Parsons bids farewell

By Brett Milam
Editor

The Batavia Township Board of Trustees met on Nov. 6 to honor a local student, and more.

– Madison East, a sophomore at West Clermont High School, was honored with a proclamation by the trustees. East spearheaded the Bill Brewer Memorial Garden at the township’s community park, located at 1535 Clough Pike, to honor the deputy. 

The memorial garden includes a memorial bench etched with Brewer’s photo and badge number. The bench is surrounded by a variety of plants and trees, including yellowwood, Forest Pansy redbud, dogwood, butterfly bush and Viburnum Judd.

Stamped concrete was also been put down.

East and her father worked to secure donations of money, services, and materials for the project. 

“Her dream was creating a space where people could come visit and think about the contributions Deputy Brewer made to our community,” Rex Parsons, township administrator, said. “The result is outstanding.” 

Randy Perry, board chair, read the proclamation, stating in part, that East’s pride and willingness to give back to the community is “very commendable.”

– Cub Scout Pack 443 was also on hand to earn their merit badge for attending a government meeting, and specifically for asking the trustees questions. The questions included,  “What made you want to become a trustee?”; “Were any of you Boy Scouts?”; “What do you do in your job?”; and “How much time does it take to be a trustee?” 

– Deputy Jesse Kidder, who is contracted through for the township through the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office, noted in his report that while the highest crime offense in the township was for drugs — 20 for the month of October , consistent with other months — October was the first month this year without an overdose. 

“I had to double check the stats because I was a little bit surprised myself,” Kidder said.

– Parsons, who is retiring as administrator on Nov. 30, said he’s enjoyed his time with the township. Parsons has been with the township for 20 years, and said he’s only missed one trustees meeting during that time.

“It’s been fun; it’s been rewarding to me,” he said. “It’s been one of those things that was like a natural thing for me, like a calling, and I’ve enjoyed it.”

Parsons said he has to look forward, and when one door closes, another one opens. He said he’s going to look around, and be a part of the community still.

The township made a great choice in appointing Adele Evans, Parsons added.

The trustees passed a resolution to name Evans as the interim administrator until Parsons’ retirement date, and then her position moves to full-time on Dec. 1. She will be paid $80,000 per year.

“Rex, I just want to say, I have never met a more dedicated employee than you in any job and you’ve done an awesome job,” Bill Dowdney, trustee, said. 

James Sauls, Jr., trustee, said Parsons has been very foresighted and did his best to make the trustees look good.

Perry said Parsons has done the township very well, and the bar has been set high.

– The trustees passed a number of resolutions, including:

– Approved repair to the service/fire department roof at a cost of $7,569 with Kelley Brothers Roofing.

– To establish spending amounts for the township administrator and other employees to carry out obligations for the township of up to $10,000. For 19 years, Parsons said he operated with a limit of $2,500, which served the township well, but there were times when he could have used more. The new limit would be increased to $5,000. 

– Snow/ice removal on six private developments in the township: Crosspointe, Twin Gates, Woodbury Glen, Glenwood Trails, Forest Glen, and Lexington Run. That’s an annual cost of $5,486 to do about seven miles of road, which costs goes back to the developers.

– Dryco Electronics contracted for $7,721 to install video cameras at the administration and concession buildings and the rear picnic shelter.

– Truck repairs to a 2002 4900 International truck in the amount of $3,500. Parsons said he doesn’t think it will end up costing “quite that much.” 

– The trustees also moved its next meeting to Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. due to a scheduling conflict.