By Amanda Ensinger
Staff Writer
Officials in Franklin Township have decided to move forward with a police levy.
At a recent meeting, the trustees announced that the township would place a 4.1-mill police levy on the May ballot.
“We will be asking township taxpayers to approve a five-year timed levy,” said Bryon Smith, police chief for the Franklin Township Police Department. “This levy would cost a homeowner with a property worth $70,000 approximately $8 a month.”
Police department officials said they are asking for the levy so that the township can offer more protection to township residents. Currently, the police department is only operating two shifts. When the Franklin Township Police Department is off duty, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office provides emergency coverage to the township.
In an effort to find additional funding sources, the police chief said he plans to look for grant opportunities. According to Smith, the department is waiting to hear if it will receive a $100,000 grant for equipment. If received, the grant would pay for tasers, guns and computers.
In other township news, officials from the fire department announced that they received a grant worth over $27,000.
“We recently received a grant from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation for a grant for $27,465,” said Chas Adams, assistant fire chief for the Franklin Township Fire Department.
“This grant will be used to purchase chest compression systems, a hose roller and extra needed items.
The township must contribute to the purchase of these products as well and passed a resolution to spend $9,155 on them.
“The chest compressions systems are life saving devices we constantly use,” Adams said.
“We have relied on the city for these devices, so it is nice to finally be able to have our own.”
Adams also noted that the fire department will be once again partnering with the American Red Cross to install free smoke detectors in the homes of township residents.
“Last time we did this we were only able to go to 140 homes,” Adams said. “This time, we want to blanket the entire township and reach every home.”
The township plans on kicking off this campaign in February or March and will be going out on multiple days.
