*AWFP originally reported that the work would be begin on June 1, but it has since been moved back to June 8.
MONCLOVA TOWNSHIP – Roundabout construction season is about to begin, and Monclova Township residents – as well as those passing through – will feel it the most. A total of four roundabouts are planned for the township this summer.
Work on a roundabout at Monclova Road and Albon Road, next to the Monclova Township administration building and fire department, is set to start Monday, June 1, Township Administrator Michael Hampton II told trustees during their May 18 meeting (though AWFP did receive a notice on May 22 from the Lucas County engineer that construction has been moved back to June 8).
“Notifications were sent out this week to residents,” he said.
Construction for the project is expected to last about 45 days. During that time, a temporary, gravel road will allow emergency crews from the fire station to access communities to the east without a long detour that could cost minutes, Hampton said.
“The plan is to keep response times the same and still have residents get the great service they’ve been getting,” Hampton said.
Sheriff’s deputies will keep an eye on the area, to ensure that non-emergency vehicles don’t use the gravel roadway, he added.
Once completed, construction of a mini-roundabout will begin at Monclova and Waterville-Monclova Road. With Monclova Primary School on the corner and Monclova Christian Academy to the east, getting this second roundabout finished by mid-August is imperative.
Hampton noted that the county is frustrated by delays in the utility work, and has asked the contractor for the Albon/Monclova project to use an accelerated schedule, as it impacts the start date of the roundabout in front of the school. The goal is to finish that second project by Aug. 15 – just before Monclova Primary School opens to students on August 17.
“Our office was prepared to begin construction of the roundabout intersection improvements at Albon and Monclova road with closure of the intersection for 45 days in mid-April. However, construction cannot commence until the utilities have been relocated. Despite giving the utilities over a year to complete their work, it is frustrating that this could result in impacts to the school and neighboring businesses,” said Lucas County Engineer Mike Pniewski.
In addition to the two Monclova Road roundabouts, the county plans to install a roundabout at U.S. 20A and Albon, but a start date has not been determined.
The state is also planning to construct a roundabout at the intersection of U.S. 20A and Strayer, according to Ohio Department of Transportation District 2 Public Information Officer Kelsie Hoagland.
“This is ODOT’s only roundabout project in Lucas County,” she said. “Currently we have the road closure set to begin in mid to late August and last through mid-October.”
During the meeting, trustees also:
-Welcomed members of the Anthony Wayne High School AP Government class, who led the pledge of allegiance in the dark, as the power was out during the first 10 minutes of the meeting.
-Approved the transfer of the township’s portion of Lucas County’s OneOhio Opioid Settlement Funds – about $1,900 over five years – back to the Lucas County Commissioners, as the township is unable to offer some of the specific programming required to use the funds.
-Discussed hiring Kristina White, a township resident, as an independent contractor to plan and execute a celebration for the township’s 175th anniversary next year. White is experienced in fundraising and event planning, and could raise enough funds to offset the cost of hiring her as an independent contractor, Hampton said. Trustees delayed a vote until Trustee Barbara Lang received the details in writing.
-Approved the retirement of part-time firefighter/paramedic Colin Wedge.
-Approved hiring Jana Schultz and Michelle Case to teach Safety Township, at a rate of $60 per day per session.
-Accepted a bid of $285,950 to purchase self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) equipment and accessories. A grant will cover all but $1,500 of the cost.
-Heard that a resident was asking about accessibility in the voting precinct at the Monclova Community Center. Fiscal Officer Gavin Pike said he is seeking a list of precincts and other details from the Lucas County Board of Elections.
-Discussed the list of 24 subdivisions that are not currently under the county’s ditch petition. Road Superintendent Doug Holland has assessed each area and made a list of priority ditches. Trustees agreed to move forward with adding these to the county ditch petition – a process that will involve public hearings at the county. Trustee Chuck Hoecherl said he would like to see a hearing held after 5 p.m. in the township in order to accommodate all residents.
-Learned that the township Zoning Commission will consider the four text amendments recommended by Zoning Administrator Eric Wagner and the Lucas County Planning Commission – ones to strengthen language governing data centers – on Tuesday, May 25 at 5:30 p.m. The commissioners will make a recommendation to the trustees, who will set a public hearing later this summer. In the meantime, trustees are keeping an eye on Waterville Township’s progress in adding an M-3 zoning category for data centers, and may consider that as an option for Monclova Township.
-Heard Holland say that installation of windscreens and sound barriers around the pickleball courts at Keener Park will take place after the concrete work is done by Dotson. The courts will be closed for about 10 days during construction. The playground equipment is ordered and will arrive soon for installation at Keener Park. A columbarium at Roth Cemetery is under construction, and Holland already has several people on a waiting list.
-Heard that the fire department had 176 calls in April – putting the department on track to near 2,300 calls for 2026.
-Listened to residents Risa Sindel and Lyn Cox detail their expectations of elected officials in representing them when it comes to protecting citizens from data centers and other large developments.
-Heard that the phone system is updated and needs to be upgraded. Hampton approved an upgrade cost of $1,088 and a device license of $640.
-Learned that Wagner received a complaint about a Mill Ridge Rd. home being used as an Airbnb. Wagner spoke to an attorney representing the property owner, explaining that using the home violates the zoning code.
-Heard that Wagner attended a meeting about the future Walden subdivision, which will span both Monclova and Waterville townships. Plans call for construction to begin in Waterville Township first. All construction and traffic will access the site from Kacie Lane in Coventry Glen. Road infrastructure work will begin later this summer, with a final plat submitted for approval in early fall.
