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Franklin Township to continue discussion on noise ordinance
Franklin Township trustees tabled a noise ordinance during their June 21 meeting. According to Franklin Township Police Chief Jim Timko, the township does not have a noise ordinance. He said the department relies on Franklin County Zoning Board rules for enforcement. The trustees said they examined noise ordinances in Brown and Prairie townships as a guideline and agreed, along with Timko, that the legislative language needs tweaking. The language requires more specifics including the fine amount, minimum distance the noise should be from residential areas and the specific time when noise is prohibited. “If there is a minimum 100-foot distance, it should be specified,” Timko said. Timko said ordinances from Brown and Prairie townships allow noise from 7 a.m. to dusk Monday through Saturday. Trustee Chair Tim Guyton said the township has issues with noise related to commercial activity and construction projects. Trustee Paul Johnson said some businesses could run into problems, especially as summer begins and construction projects, large and small, get underway. “Roofers have to get started early in the morning, or they will cook up there,” Johnson said. Police and fire update Timko said, two, brand-new police cruisers arrived June 20 and will be painted before hitting the road. He is also looking for candidates to fill an auxiliary officer. Timko said the position calls for 16-20 hours per week, in four-hour shifts as opposed to an eight-hour shift. Experience is a plus, and retired officers are welcome, Timko said. “I don’t want to take new candidates out of the academy and teach them on the road,” he said. “I don’t have the resources.” “I’m all for bringing someone on board,” Guyton said, citing more cruiser visibility and having two officers in a cruiser as positive aspects. Franklin Township Fire Chief Richard Howard said seven fans were donated to the township in late June as part of “The Heat is On” fan collection and distribution drive. The drive is spearheaded by LifeCare Alliance and the Columbus Division of Fire to ensure people who are at-risk of heat stroke or heat exhaustion receive new fans, according to information from LifeCare Alliance. “If any resident in the township needs help, they should give them a call,” Howard said. “They’re probably going to hit the jackpot in getting something to help them out.” The public is asked to purchase new fans and drop them off at their nearest fire station. Franklin Township has two fire stations, at 2193 Frank Road and 4100 Sullivant Ave. For information about “The Heat is On,” call LifeCare Alliance at 437-2870 or visit www.lifecarealliance.org.
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