MONCLOVA TOWNSHIP – Limited Home Rule public meetings, speeding tickets at the Albon and Salisbury roundabout and fire department purchases were among the topics covered during a 21-minute Monclova Township trustees meeting on Oct. 5.
Limited Home Rule
Last month, Administrator Michael Hampton launched an educational presentation on Limited Home Rule, which will be on the Nov. 3 ballot for township residents. Now he’s scheduled meetings from 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15 and Thursday, Oct. 29 at the administration building, 4335 Albon Rd.
While acknowledging that voters turned it down in 2024, Hampton, who has served as administrator for just a few months, wants to provide residents with more information.
“This year’s approach is centered on information, transparency, and the opportunity to ask questions,” Hampton wrote in a letter posted at monclovatwp.org along with a video of a Sept. 16 presentation to Waterside’s homeowners association. “Residents should understand what Limited Home Rule would allow the Township to do, what it would not allow the Township to do, and what limitations would continue to apply.”
The meetings will allow residents to learn more and ask questions, he said.
“Regardless of the outcome, our responsibility is to make certain residents have accurate information and a clear understanding of what they are being asked to consider.”
Albon and Salisbury roundabout
During the Sept. 21 meeting, several residents asked the trustees for help in dealing with speeding issues near the Albon and Salisbury roundabout. The next day, the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office had deputies monitoring the area with radar and issuing multiple tickets – much to the chagrin of many township residents who were cited, Hampton said.
Public Works Director Doug Holland is working with the Lucas County Engineer to start a speed study once the Strayer and US 20A roundabout is finished, in order to get a more accurate count of traffic that doesn’t include those using the Salisbury and Albon intersection for a detour.
Fire Department
Trustees approved the purchase of 10 sets of Globe turnout gear from Atlantic Emergency Solutions for $37,250. The gear will be used to replace sets that are reaching the 10-year expiration date and to outfit new employees, said Fire Chief Matt Homik.
Carolyn Hinde, a full-time paramedic, was approved to move to part-time, as she has accepted a full-time position with the Maumee Fire Division as a firefighter paramedic. After interviewing three internal candidates, a committee recommended Samantha Heishman to fill that full-time paramedic position vacated by Hinde.
Trustees also approved an agreement with Stryker for its EMS Plus Program, which will allow the department to replace its EMS equipment, including cardiac monitors, AEDs and power chairs and load systems. Fiscal Officer Gavin Pike recommended paying for the program up front rather than a five-year lease, and trustees agreed.
During the meeting, the board also:
-Heard Trustee Chuck Hoecherl thank the staff members involved in planning the Oct. 3 safety services open house, which provided residents with an opportunity to meet employees and check out the fire department and public works equipment.
-Approved two resolutions for the Lucas County Auditor: approving amounts and rates for property taxes; and requesting an advance on taxes collected.
-Appointed Mark Trimble for a five-year term as a member of the Zoning Commission, and reappointed Cathy Shepherd to a one-year term as an alternate on the Zoning Commission.
-Listened to resident Roy Bechtel reiterate his request that the trustees add a second public comments section at the beginning of the meeting in order for residents to comment on agenda items before the trustees take a vote. He suggested that a full packet be made available in order to provide transparency. Trustee Debbie Stevens-Laux said this is being taken into consideration.
