Sharon gazebo to be replaced with new structure
New gazebo expected to be in place by Aug. 1
File photo Sharon’s 36-year-old gazebo will be replaced this summer. The gazebo is often a place for weddings, gatherings and even the popular Music on the Circle series.
SHARON – The well-worn 16-foot octagon gazebo in Sharon Circle will soon be replaced with a new 18-foot octagon white vinyl structure that was purchased from American Landscape Structures of Pennsylvania for $25,389 and is expected to be in place by Aug. 1. The township must install the posts and the electrical outlets, township maintenance supervisor Bob Turek explained.
The current gazebo was built in 1981 and for 36 years has been a popular spot for weddings, band concerts and numerous other community events.
Furniture for fire station offices
Concerned about the $16,000 estimated cost of office furniture for the reception area of the new wing of the fire station, at the previous meeting trustees accepted the offer of Fixler Road resident Mike Bauman of the Welty Co., who said his firm is restoring the Huntington Bank building in Cleveland and the accounting firm that occupied the space moved out and left quality office furniture, which he offered at no charge. All they had to do was get it moved, he said.
Two firefighters traveled to Cleveland, including Fire Chief Rob Haas, and determined much of the furniture would be a “fit.” The only cost to the township was a $900 delivery charge by Lake Erie movers hired by trustees to transport two office desks, one receptionist’s desk, three file cabinets, four dry erase boards, one kitchen table and six chairs.
Water/sewer
A number of residents have been concerned about a possible water/sewer line that would run from state Route 18, south on either State Road or Ridge Road to state Route 162. Its purpose would be to better serve the residents on Sharon Center, since many have little water pressure and therefore can run only a small volume of water.
The water being considered comes from Lake Erie, so the waste water has to be returned to the same drainage area from which it came. Therefore a sewer line will carry the water back to a sewer line on SR 18. Residents along the route can tie in, if they wish, but this is not mandatory.
“This line will provide water from another part of the water distribution system to increase flow in volume,” said Amy Lyon-Galvin, county sanitary engineer.
She added, “There is no charge to existing customers. However, new customers would be subject to tap-in fees at the time of connection.”
Park update
Per the instructions of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, trustees hired Sours and Buie and Associates for $3,000 to appraise the parcels of wetlands and “high-ground” in an effort to facilitate a land swap. Trustees would utilize the high ground to build athletic fields, which are prohibited by the grant used by the county park district to purchase 136 acres of the 178-acre tract. The other 42 adjacent acres, purchased by Sharon Township, contain some wetlands on which no construction is permitted, but can be used for walking trails and fishing areas. According to trustee Ray Lurtz, since the high ground is more valuable than the wetlands, trustees would have to trade 29 acres of wetlands for 16 acres of “high ground.” Also being considered is just trading the use of the land. ODNR will ultimately be the deciding entity.
“At this rate, nobody is going to know who owns what,” Lurtz said, adding, “But, it is still going to be Sharon Park and Preserve.” The park is located in an undeveloped area between Ridge and State roads, and extends south to the township maintenance property.
In other news
• Trustees approved hiring Rick Sulzener of Sharon to repair the chimney on the post office for $3,200. As for costs to repair the floor in the lobby and work area of the building, Turek is in the process of securing estimates.
• Lurtz said Columbia Gas Co. plans to tear up the Circle area and state Route 94 south to the railroad tracks to install a bigger gas line. He said the project has been put on hold until further notice.
• Road bids were to be opened April 20 by employees of the county engineer at that office, rather than by trustees at the township office. After verification and tabulation, the documents will be turned over to trustees. “This saves a step in the process,” Lurtz said.
• Trustees have scheduled their next meeting for April 25, at 7 p.m. at the township administration building on Sharon Circle.
The current gazebo was built in 1981 and for 36 years has been a popular spot for weddings, band concerts and numerous other community events.
Furniture for fire station offices
Concerned about the $16,000 estimated cost of office furniture for the reception area of the new wing of the fire station, at the previous meeting trustees accepted the offer of Fixler Road resident Mike Bauman of the Welty Co., who said his firm is restoring the Huntington Bank building in Cleveland and the accounting firm that occupied the space moved out and left quality office furniture, which he offered at no charge. All they had to do was get it moved, he said.
Two firefighters traveled to Cleveland, including Fire Chief Rob Haas, and determined much of the furniture would be a “fit.” The only cost to the township was a $900 delivery charge by Lake Erie movers hired by trustees to transport two office desks, one receptionist’s desk, three file cabinets, four dry erase boards, one kitchen table and six chairs.
Water/sewer
A number of residents have been concerned about a possible water/sewer line that would run from state Route 18, south on either State Road or Ridge Road to state Route 162. Its purpose would be to better serve the residents on Sharon Center, since many have little water pressure and therefore can run only a small volume of water.
The water being considered comes from Lake Erie, so the waste water has to be returned to the same drainage area from which it came. Therefore a sewer line will carry the water back to a sewer line on SR 18. Residents along the route can tie in, if they wish, but this is not mandatory.
“This line will provide water from another part of the water distribution system to increase flow in volume,” said Amy Lyon-Galvin, county sanitary engineer.
She added, “There is no charge to existing customers. However, new customers would be subject to tap-in fees at the time of connection.”
Park update
Per the instructions of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, trustees hired Sours and Buie and Associates for $3,000 to appraise the parcels of wetlands and “high-ground” in an effort to facilitate a land swap. Trustees would utilize the high ground to build athletic fields, which are prohibited by the grant used by the county park district to purchase 136 acres of the 178-acre tract. The other 42 adjacent acres, purchased by Sharon Township, contain some wetlands on which no construction is permitted, but can be used for walking trails and fishing areas. According to trustee Ray Lurtz, since the high ground is more valuable than the wetlands, trustees would have to trade 29 acres of wetlands for 16 acres of “high ground.” Also being considered is just trading the use of the land. ODNR will ultimately be the deciding entity.
“At this rate, nobody is going to know who owns what,” Lurtz said, adding, “But, it is still going to be Sharon Park and Preserve.” The park is located in an undeveloped area between Ridge and State roads, and extends south to the township maintenance property.
In other news
• Trustees approved hiring Rick Sulzener of Sharon to repair the chimney on the post office for $3,200. As for costs to repair the floor in the lobby and work area of the building, Turek is in the process of securing estimates.
• Lurtz said Columbia Gas Co. plans to tear up the Circle area and state Route 94 south to the railroad tracks to install a bigger gas line. He said the project has been put on hold until further notice.
• Road bids were to be opened April 20 by employees of the county engineer at that office, rather than by trustees at the township office. After verification and tabulation, the documents will be turned over to trustees. “This saves a step in the process,” Lurtz said.
• Trustees have scheduled their next meeting for April 25, at 7 p.m. at the township administration building on Sharon Circle.