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Agreement reached to go slow on park projects
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - November 11, 2010)
Agreement reached to go slow on park projects
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Chardon Township Trustees and the township's park committee reached a meeting of the minds last week on what future projects should be attempted at the township's park.
Park committee chairman James Schumann and trustees resolved what had been a disconnect between the two boards over proposed projects and agreed to move forward with those that the township can afford and are practical for now.
The projects agreed to last week are the installation of a hand-pump water well and landscaping with trees.
The disconnect stemmed from park committee members beginning investigations on possible projects, such as restrooms, only to later learn that trustees would not approve of them.
Mr. Schumann told trustees that park board members can feel they are "spinning their wheels" when they begin working on certain projects but are told later to abandon them.
He asked that trustees attend the park board's next meeting Dec. 6 to provide direction for the group. "We feel like we need some direction from you," he said. "We want you guys to take the lead."
Mr. Schumann said reaching an agreement on what projects are favored is needed now, because applications for an Ohio Natureworks grants must be filed by a Feb. 1 deadline.
Although asphalting a path that circles the park is desired, Trustee Michael Brown said, it may not be a practical idea given the timetable. He said there would be requirements for drawings for such a project that would require more time. In addition, he said, if the township did not receive all the money necessary to finish the work, "we won't say, 'Pave up to that rock and stop.'"
He said the cost of the project is likely to exceed $25,000, which would require the township to bid it, causing even more work.
Part of the reason the township nixed the idea of installing restrooms was the financial commitment the township likely would have to make.
Trustee Steven Borawski said the grant comes with a requirement of a 25 percent match of township funds. The match required for the $40,000 cost of the restrooms was more than the township is willing to commit.
He said the township has an estimated $40,000 in total to spend next year at the park.
Initially, Trustee Charles Strazinsky Jr. said he had reservations about planning projects on the fly without giving them full consideration. "We can't just be doing things and then regretting it later," he said. "I don't think we should push it."
He said, just because the township has $40,000 to spend on its park does not mean that it should spend it.
But Fiscal Officer Joan Windnagel said the time for applying for the grant may be no better than now. She said, with a new administration in place in the state, that source of funding could dry up. "That money could go away," she said.
Mr. Brown said one idea may not require that much time to provide details on is the planting of trees at the park. He said a windstorm had taken down some older pine trees, which lined the park on the east side.
He said the township simply could ask for as many trees as possible from the grant.
Mr. Borawski said the water well could also be included in the grant application.
Mr. Schumann asked how much the township was willing to commit toward the matching funds for the grant.
Although they considered $5,000 for the limit, trustees eventually said $10,000 may be appropriate.
Mr. Brown said the park board, which was created last year and held its first meeting at the start of this year, is going through growing pains in learning its role. "This is the first hiccup we've had," he said.
Mr. Schumann said he was relieved to get both boards on the same page as they move forward. "I feel very good about what just happened," he said.
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