At the June 28, 2016 meeting of the Bethel Township Trustees - Miami, the trustees honored Robert Yocum for his 30 years of service to the township. Yocum started working for the road crew in 1986 and has been with the department ever since. Yocum is now the superintendent of the department and is responsible for the 26 miles of roads in the township. The trustees presented a plaque commemorating to him for his service. Township Administrator Andy Ehrhart said, “Robert has given 30 years of service to the township. He has done a great job and we appreciate it. Job well done.”
In regular business, the trustees approved a payment of $4,233 to Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company for Life and Disability Insurance for the members of the Bethel Township fire Department. They also authorized a payment of $2,995.17 to Stoops Freightline of Dayton for emergency repairs of Engine 4. Ehrhart added, “The repair of Engine 4 is complete and the engine is back in service for the township.”
In other business, the trustees passed a resolution to refrain from adopting a tax budget for Fiscal Year 2017 and instead will adopt the Alternative Tax Budget Format for 2017. The information will be forwarded to the Miami County Auditor.
Sheriff’s Deputy Ennist reported that the Sheriff’s Department received 177 calls from the township during the last 30 days. He added, “This is a higher call volume compared to the other townships we patrol.” Thirty-one of the calls required further investigation. There were 57 traffic stops and 6 arrests. Two of the arrests were for domestic disturbances, two were thefts, one OVI and one suspended license. He also added, “The department has noticed an increase in trailer thefts and the public should take proper precautions.”
For the Fire Department, Ehrhart reported that the department made 20 runs between June 11, 2016 and June 25, 2016. Sixteen of the calls were for emergency medical services.
For Planning and Zoning, Marty Caskey reported that the department received and issued one zoning application for an in-ground pool at 6460 Studebaker. He also reported that the Bethel Township Board of Zoning Appeals would meet on July 21, 2016 to hear three variance requests. The first case is for a pole barn at 6185 Dayton-Brandt to be larger that permitted. The second case is for a lean-to on the east side of a building at 6821 US 40. The third case is for a sign at 4191 US 40. The BZA will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the township meeting room.
Caskey also reported that he has received three anonymous complaints concerning zoning violations. He checked on the complaints and acted according. Two of the reported violations were in compliance and the remaining property owner was advised to correct the violation. He asked that the public when filing complaints include contact information so he can report the outcome of the complaint.
The next meeting of the Bethel Township Trustees is scheduled for June 12, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. in the township meeting room. The trustees will hold a public hearing on two zoning cases followed by the regular meeting at 7:00 p.m.
