Bethel Township Trustees approved the Sheriff’s contract with the Miami County Sheriff’s Office for police protection for 2016. The contract, worth $99,306.80, reflects a 2% increase over 2015.

In addition, the trustees approved a resolution to amend Article 36 of the Zoning Code. Article 36 controls Sign Regulations in the township. The first change to the regulations was for Section 36.08 (D), which regulates temporary signs. The new regulation reduces the maximum permitted size from 32 square feet to six square feet for any architect, engineer or contractor when building in the township. Under the old regulations, the temporary signs had to be removed when construction was completed. The new regulations specify that the signs must be removed within 30 days of completion.

The number of signs allowed remains the same at one sign per street front for the location.

The new regulations modify section 36.10 (B) governing all business, industrial, factory and agricultural districts. The new regulation reduces the maximum height of a commercial sign from 35 feet to 10 feet. Only one ground sign and one wall sign are permitted on each street front. Wall signs cannot project above the roofline.

The zoning regulations for A-2 General Agriculture were expanded to include A-1 Domestic Agriculture.

The trustees also approved a four-year service contract with Physio-Control, Inc. for technical support for the Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) and Lifepacks for the Fire Department. The service contract cannot exceed $11,424 during the period and is effective November 24, 2015 through November 23, 2019.

In official business, the trustees amended Resolution 15-04-038 that provides a Health Savings Account (HSA) to township employees and elected officials. The resolution was amended to include Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) coverage for full-time employees and elected officials who elected to receive township health insurance. For these employees, the HRA was changed to cover per year up to $3,200 for a single plan and $6,200 for a family plan. The amended resolution now provides the same coverage as the HSA plan provides to employees.

For the fire department, Andy Ehrhart, Township Administrator, reported that the 21 runs were made from November 7, 2015 through November 20, 2015. Fourteen of the runs provided emergency medical services to township residents. He said, “We’ve been very lucky this year. We haven’t had a single major fire in the township.”

Ehrhart reported that four zoning applications were made and issued. These include a request for a sign at 7490 SR 202, two pole barns at 7140 Dayton-Brandt Road, and 2500 US 40, and a detached garage a 5285 Eastland. He also reported that Jeff Green, Planning and Zoning, issued two zoning violations, a junk car at 2985 US 40 and an illegal multifamily residence at 8482 US 40.

The next meeting of the Bethel Township Trustees is scheduled for December 8, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the Township Meeting Room.

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