At the October 13, 2015 meeting of the Bethel - Miami Township Trustees, the trustees passed a resolution to increase the fee schedule for the Zoning Department. For Zoning Requests the new fees include an amendment fee of $350, Planned Unit Development (PUD) fee of $450, and for all Zoning Appeals a fee of $350. A request for change of use is now $100.

The new construction fees have increased to $200 for a commercial-industrial construction, $100 for a single family residential, $200 for a multi-family residential, $100 for an addition to a residence or business, and $50 for an accessory structure. Miscellaneous fees include $25 for a sign and $20 for a book. The new fee schedule is effective November 1, 2015

In addition, the trustees passed a resolution authorizing the repair of the parking area in front of the fire station by Star City Concrete at a cost of $33,100. Reinforced concrete will be poured in front of the fire station and under the dumpster to repair damage caused by the fire trucks to the asphalt in this area. This is the first phase of the project. The second phase, which will occur in the spring, will replace the remaining asphalt throughout the Township Building Parking Lot.

Sheriff Deputy Ethan Ennis, who attended the meeting, reported that the sheriff’s department recorded 174 incidents from addresses in Bethel Township. An incident includes any time of interaction between the Sheriff’s Department and township residents from traffic stops, questions, and complaints to criminal activities. Of these incidents, 50 were traffic related. The department made 13 arrests primarily for traffic violations such as OVI and driving with a suspended license. Beth van Haaren, Trustee, said, “Thanks that is really useful information to know.”

For the Fire Department, Andy Ehrhart, Fire Chief and Township Administrator, reported that the Fire Department held an open house on Saturday, October 10, 2015. He said, “For the first time the event was held on a Saturday. Many families with young children showed up. The children especially enjoyed the Care Flight Helicopter and the Fire Engine.” The event also featured a bounce house, refreshments, and prizes. The Fire Department gave away pumpkins to all the participants. Ehrhart said, “The weather was beautiful and we feel the event was very successful.”

In other Fire Department news, Ehrhart reported that the department made 28 runs from September 18, 2015 through October 9, 2015. Eighteen of the runs were for emergency medical services. He added, “We did have one car fire on New Carlisle Road, a 1968 Corvair.” Laughing, Gary Biggs, Trustee added, “That’s why they don’t make them anymore.”

For Planning and Zoning, Ehrhart reported for Jeff Green, who was unable to attend, that three applications were requested and permits were issued for all three. The requests included a staff building/rain shelter at 7745 Agenbroad, an addition to an accessory structure at 7730 Windham, and a 24’ x 30’ accessory structure at 5781 Scarff.

In addition, the Zoning Commission has an amendment to Article 36 of the Zoning Code pending to make necessary changes to the zoning code for sign regulations. Miami County Planning Commission will hear the request on October 20, 2015 and the Bethel Township Zoning Commission will meet on October 22, 2015 to hear the case.

The Board of Zoning Appeals also has a pending case this month. They will meet on October 22, 2015 to hear a request from David Baumgardner of 7114 US 40 to decrease the required side yard setback from 20 feet to 10 feet.

In Zoning Enforcement, Green handled three violations. The first was for a building for which a permit was not requested at 9635 Sullivan. The other two were for high grass and noxious weed violations at 7500 Dayton-Brandt Road, and 6773 US 40.

In regular business, the trustees passed two resolutions to hire Richard Peak and Kurtis Green as seasonal road workers from October 1, 2015 through May 1, 2016.

They also hired, Larry Trustee to the Bethel Township Fire Department pending a background check. Trustee also works for the Bethel Clark Fire Department and is certified as a fire fighter and emergency medical technician.

The October 27, 2015 meeting has been cancelled because of a conflict on that date with the Meet the Candidates Meeting scheduled at the same time. Meet the Candidates is scheduled for October 27, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. in the Bethel Local Schools Auditoriums. One trustee and the fiscal officer are running for re-election. In addition, the township has a road levy on the ballot and the trustees believe that this activity should take precedence. If a Trustee Meeting is needed, it will be scheduled for a different time.

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