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WARREN TOWNSHIP -- Thanks to $1 million in grants and American Rescue Plan funds, the township has been able to get road and other needed projects done over the past several years.
Trustee Ed Anthony said sidewalks in the downtown area were done in 2022 and sidewalks along Tod Avenue by Dollar General were done in 2021.
In 2023, chip-and-seal work was done on Fisher, Manhatten and Riverside roads. Anthony said in 2022, chip-and-seal work was done on Melgren and Wilacher roads. Work on both projects was completed by the county.
Anthony said Anderson-Anthony Road, which was a joint paving project with Braceville, was completed by the county.
He said each township paid $43,000 for the project.
Paving was done on 14 streets in the Brookside area using Ohio Public Works Commission funds with work by Shelley and Sands.
Anthony said Templeton Road was paved a few years ago.
Scheduled within the next few weeks is paving work on Reo Boulevard, Leavitt and Huntington roads, which will be done by the county.
Officials said cleanup of fallen trees at the Brookside fire station was done by the county in 2022.
"We are appreciative what the county engineer's office has done for us. We want to have a good working relationship with the engineer's office. We have had money alloted for projects and received grants and ARP funds to make projects possible," Anthony said.
Trustee Kay Anderson agreed that having a good working relationship with the engineer's office helped get projects done.
Trustee Chairman Ryan Yoho said passage of a road levy is making it possible for the township to have matching money for grants and local share with OPWC.
Residents complained at this week's trustees meeting about the condition of various roads, such as Reo Boulevard.
Resident Shawn Shook said excess water on the road because of poor drainage has attracted mosquitoes.
"We understand there are roads in bad shape. ARP funds have been used to help pave and chip and seal roads. We are trying to make the township better. Nineteen roads have been paved and seven others chip and sealed this year and last year," Anthony said.
He said in the past eight years, 64 dilapidated homes were able to be demolished.
Resident Daryl Parker said there is a need for more road department staff to help get roads done. The township has 34 miles of roads to take care of, officials said.
PROPERTY TAX
In other business, resident Nancy Ritz questioned the high number of properties in the township not paying taxes.
Anthony said the they spoke with county auditor's office and 61 percent property owners owe taxes in Warren Township, compared to Warren city, which is at 51 percent delinquent. He said the township's percentage of unpaid property taxes previously was 53 to 55 percent.
"It is a concern when so many people are not paying their property taxes. Something more needs to be done," Ritz said.
Anthony said the county works with people on a payment plan, but some people owe for several years.
Trustees said if people were paying their property taxes, the township would have funds to complete more projects.