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Cemetery, roads are hot topics in Bazetta

Residents want tornado damage repaired at Hillside

BAZETTA — Township residents have expressed concern about the condition of roads in the community, but township officials say funds are limited and their focus is on repairs at Hillside Cemetery, which was hit by a tornado in early January.

Several residents addressed trustees at their recent meeting, saying Wilshire Drive, Fallen Drive, Beaver Trail and Ivy Hill Lane, among others, are in poor condition.

Trustee Frank Parke said there is limited money in the general fund, which also is needed for the cemetery and to keep the township park open.

“We understand money is needed for the road projects and have tried to get state grant money. We have limited funds to do projects with the local shares that are needed,” he said, noting it is difficult to get state grants.

Officials said they are waiting to see what gas tax money the township will receive for 2020 and are seeking Issue I funds next year for Wilshire Drive.

Trustee Ted Webb said attempts to get levies passed for the cemetery, park and roads have been defeated by voters. He said the $17,000 needed annually for maintaining the park comes from the general fund.

Resident Stan Shrodek of Lakeshore Drive said he is concerned that money is not set aside for roads considering the condition of some of them. Residents Jim and Nancy Foley of Wilshire Drive said they are not only concerned about the condition of the road, but also flooding and drainage problems in the area.

Nancy Foley said the Optimist Club members and community members helped build the park and Imagination Station and should be credited for that.

Play By Design representatives did an inspection of Imagination Station and found that even though it was 25 years old, it was still in good condition with only minor updates and improvements needed. Officials said fundraising has been done by the park board, but those funds are used for special projects.

“The cemetery is the first priority. It has been nine months since the damage and work still needs to be done. As for the roads, we need to get the road levy back on the ballot,” Parke said.

Trustees did approve seeking bids for the Hillside Cemetery project, with bids to be submitted by Oct. 11.

The cemetery needs construction of a storage building, chapel repairs and landscaping. The storage building and chapel were damaged by the tornado.

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