By Brett Milam
Editor

The Miami Township Board of Trustees held a work session on Nov. 4 to discuss fire equipment, police fencing, and more.

– In a follow-up over the summer from a new truck purchase, Steve Kelly, fire chief, put out bids for outfitting the truck with the siren and light package, as well as a protective cap for the back of the vehicle against the weather. 

The quote Kelly presented to the board came from Cincinnati Safety Upfitters in the amount of $6,012. 

Kelly also said the department was unsuccessful in getting a grant for the purchase of thermal imaging cameras, but in its 2019 budget, they did make room to replace two of those cameras in the amount of $15,000.

The cost is $14,065 from First In-Last Out Fire Equipment in Cincinnati.

– The annual appointment of a board member to the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments came up in discussion. OKI is an 118-member board that represents local governments, businesses and community groups around the region, working typically on interstate and development plans and advocating for federal funding. 

Since Miami Township has a population of more than 40,000, it must appoint somebody to that board. Traditionally, it’s been Karl Schultz, chairperson. The term starts in January of each year. 

Mary Wolff, board member, suggested that they rotate that position so each board member gets more understanding and knowledge about how Miami Township fits within that broader regional discussion through OKI.

“This is something that really requires a consistency when you’re in it over a period of time,” Schultz said. 

Schultz noted that he also serves on the executive committee, and if he’s not appointed, then they would lose that spot, too.

Wolff said it’s about fairness, and as all on the board are elected officials, “quite frankly,” it’s important to rotate. 

The board pushed deciding on the appointment to the next business meeting. 

– Back in May, Miami Township received a $50,000 grant to install an emergency rescue boat ramp at the Kelley Nature Preserve on state Route 126 in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Since the park is owned by the Park District, ODNR requires an agreement between the township and the district on overseeing the project.

John Musselman, service department director, said bids went out for that project on Oct. 31. Estimates for the project from engineers was $77,070. The four bids ranged from $65,000 to $80,000.

Musselman said the first phase of the project is to trim the trees in the area between November and March 2020. 

Also on Oct. 31, bids went out for the Hoffman Road pavement widening project. Engineers estimate was $142,646. Five bidders’ responds with bids that ranged from $137,714 to $215,152.

– Mike Mills, police chief, presented a bid of $10,248 for a rear parking lot fence, at eight feet, for the department, located at 5900 McPicken Dr.

With clearing work done at Business 28 and Meijer Drive, it left the rear parking lot “exposed” Mills said, creating security and privacy concerns. 

Ken Tracy, board member, said he’s glad Mills did this because it was noticeable and the “safety and security of the officers are priority number one.”

The board passed that motion to get the project started; even then, it’s not expected to begin for another four to six weeks, Mills said.

– Tim and Nicole Worsham, who opened Midwest Best BBQ in September 2018, were proclaimed the 2019 Holiday Parade Marshals. The parade is on Nov. 21.