WATERVILLE TOWNSHIP – Waterville Township trustees set two public hearings, approved several contracts to complete upgrades to a 115-year-old barn and agreed to seek constable status for the police department during their Sept. 23 meeting.
Public Hearings
Following the Zoning Commission’s Sept. 21 recommendations on proposed amendments to the zoning resolution – one for a 64-page document regulating data centers and large industrial developments, the other for electronic billboards along US 24 – the trustees set back-to-back public hearings for Thursday, Oct. 15 at Waterville First Presbyterian Church, 611 Farnsworth Rd .
The data center-related hearing is set for 6:30 p.m. The billboard public hearing will be held in a separate meeting immediately following, in the same location.
The Barn
In March, trustees purchased 5.4 acres of property abutting US 24, including the 115-year-old barn on the northwest corner of Dutch and Waterville Monclova Rd. After hiring Amish crews to side, replace windows and doors, and repair the roof this summer, the trustees are now investing into preparing the space for use as a weatherproof storage facility for vehicles and equipment.
Frames Pest Control is working to remove wildlife from the interior, including bats. Because of state and federal regulations, no work can be done after Oct. 15. Funnels have been placed so that bats can leave but not return, said Trustee Toby Miller, sharing how he witnessed an “apocalyptic number of bats” trying to get in near dawn one morning.
Now the number of bats is down to about a dozen, with seals placed around the soffit line of the barn to prevent more from entering. Frames is also posting bat houses on poles 15 feet above the ground to give the mammals a place to stay instead of the barn.
On the Rock Masonry was hired for $14,600 to install cement approaches with L-shaped lips by the doors, and to fill in gaps in the foundation to deter wildlife from entering. This should be completed by Oct. 15 as well.
AE Electric was approved to replace the electric meter and an outdoor light on the property for $6,500. And Pinpoint was hired for $14,956 to remove all excrement and animal debris, treat for bacteria and mice, and check for mold on the first floor – a process that will require workers to wear hazmat suits and respirators. Currently, anyone entering the barn needs to wear a respirator and footies to prevent being exposed to histoplasmosis, a fungal infection from bat droppings, with spores becoming airborne when disrupted.
Feller Finch was hired to create a plan for the barn and the property, including a septic system. While the barn itself cannot be used for public gatherings, in the future – if the budget allows – the property could be used for a facility to house the police department, township records and public gatherings, Miller said.
Constable status
Waterville Township police officers often assist other departments outside of the township, but technically don’t have jurisdiction to do so since Lucas County Sheriff Mike Navarre, in 2021, revoked special deputy status for officers throughout the county. That same year, the township trustees at the time voted instead to give the police department constable status – which gives officers the legal authority to answer calls outside their borders – but rescinded that decision a few months later.
In the meantime, township officers often get called into neighboring communities to assist, especially in Providence Township and Swanton Township, which don’t have a dedicated police force.
Technically, Miller said, the officers don’t have jurisdiction in the police department offices or in the town hall, which are both in the city of Waterville, or in those neighboring communities. After speaking with assistant Lucas County Prosecutor John Borell, Miller learned the trustees can vote to approve constable status for any officer that is certified.
“This would solve the problem of them not being able to perform duties in their own police station, in this hall or at the church,” Miller said.
Trustees Julie Theroux and Kyle Miller agreed, and the motion passed. The officers will need to take an oath of office and get a new ID stating that they are constables, said Lt. Marty Przybysz. He is also working with Maumee Municipal Court to ensure that this change will be recognized if officers need to testify in court.
During the meeting, the board also:
-Passed a resolution stating that any zoning change to commercial or industrial is required to join a Joint Economic Development District (JEDD) that the township has with the Village of Whitehouse. This is a process that will take about 120 days as it involves the county, the township Zoning Commission, the Board of Trustees and public hearings. Miller has been working with Whitehouse on an amended annexation agreement and reviving the JEDD, and the resolution ties into that agreement. The JEDD board will need to convene soon after being dormant for several years.
-Learned that eight people applied for the opening for the police chief, but one lived out of state and two others lacked experience. Trustees began interviews after their meeting with Lt. Marty Przybysz. Chief Kevin Smith is retiring on Nov. 1 after serving the township since August 2023.
-Heard Miller say that he is working with the Lucas County Engineer, which issued a notice of violation to a contractor for Spectrum, due to damage to Noward Road and for not properly restoring properties along the road after installing a line.
-Approved the Comprehensive Land Use Plan update, which was paid for with a grant. The plan guides future growth and helps the township in making decisions. A copy is available on the website, watervilletownship.com.
-Agreed to Fiscal Officer Jeanne Taylor‘s recommendation to end a contract with Cintas, which the township has been paying $478 a month to swap out rugs in the police department. Taylor was authorized to purchase a set of rugs for up to $1,500 instead.
