Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
Several members of the Friends of Lake Township Parks committee were on hand at the latest trustee meeting in Lake Township on March 18 to request approval for a couple new events.
The first one discussed was a farmer’s market, craft market and vendor’s market, which would run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the nights of music at the corner of Cummings and Drouilliard.
The funds collected for 10x10 rental areas for vendors, which are $25 per night or $175 in advance for all eight nights, would go to the Friends of Lake Township Park.
The other event is a Friendship Day and motorcycle event on July 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., which would also include a Firefighter’s Association Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on that morning. There will be a craft vendor and motorcycle show, food truck and a kids zone. Should it rain, the outdoor stuff would still be held, but the breakfast will be moved indoors and still take place.
The first music in the park event is slated for June 13. Prior to that, an Easter bunny breakfast and egg hunt is slated for April 12, and a fishing derby is on the calendar for June 7.
New business
In new business, the trustees approved increased rates for the cemetery for non-residents. It was pointed out that prices will not go up for residents, however, and in terms of the foundation price increases, those are due to an increase in concrete cost. Those increases become effective April 1.
Marvin Burns and James Meyer were approved as alternates to the Lake Township Zoning Commission for a term of one year, effective March 18.
Trustee Melanie Bowen-Greenwald issued a reminder that she has a meeting two days after the trustees meeting about the ADA accessible ramp for the pond, and she should have an update by the next trustees meeting. She is “really, really very hopeful and confident” that they’ll get the ramp done this year. She has some businesses that want to donate toward the cost, but she has to get a final cost, and they will go from there.
Electric Aggregation
Marvin Burns spoke during the public participation portion about the recent letters going out to local residents regarding the electric aggregation. He said the rates the aggregation is giving are much higher and that he has found that it’s also significantly higher than the rates you can get if you visit energychoice.ohio.gov.
Police chief and administrator Mark Hummer said that the energy market is very volatile right now and not a lot of electric companies want to commit to certain rates, especially long-term and with the added strain to the grid from local projects.
Ultimately, Hummer encouraged people to do their own homework and research who they are signing with.
“If it's a better deal and makes sense for them, then they should opt out and do that,” he said.
Burns said that the new energy price right now through the aggregation is 9.75 and you can go to the website and get it from the same company for 8.19, and you can get it for 8.29 for 36 months vs. one year.
“People are encouraged to find out what the best deal for them is,” Hummer said. “This is the best deal that the aggregation could present.”
Trustee Richard Welling urged caution and to beware of the fine print.
In nearby Walbridge, the village posted on their Facebook page March 19 that they are recommending that residents choose the option to do nothing and remain in the aggregation program. Their post went on to say that Dynegy will be the new supplier, and the rate will increase to 9.75 cents per kWh, similar to what Burns said at the Lake Township meeting.
Recycling bins available
Recycling bins are now available behind the Millbury fire station. Bowen-Greenwald said that the county didn’t want them in Walbridge, and that she was told Millbury is a much better location. Residents can use those at any time, but there is a request that there be no cardboard. There should be a total of five bins there.
Roundabout?
Another resident asked about a rumored potential roundabout at the corner of Fostoria and 579.
Hummer said there has been a conversation over the past several months about that. As reported in early February in The Press, that would be an ODOT project, and it is currently in the feasibility study phase at the moment. Northwood city administrator Kevin Laughlin said at the time that it was his understanding that ODOT would probably fully fund that project should it happen.
