The finalized draft of the Pleasant Township comprehensive plan is nearing the homestretch, but the last leg has caused a few headaches for all involved.
A loss of communication occurred between the township and the Franklin County Economic Planning Department when they relocated in August and now the township feels they are being partially ignored by the department. This was discussed at the township meeting held on Nov. 11.
"When I last spoke to them, they said the reason for the delay was because another plan had to go out before us," said Tom Fancher, chairperson of the Pleasant Township Comprehensive Plan/Land Use Review Committee. Fancher said there has also been a second area plan that went out before theirs also.
The steering committee started compiling data for their comprehensive plan over three years ago, and they feel the end of it has been dragging on long enough. The final public meeting was tentatively scheduled for mid-September at that month’s board of trustees meeting but those plans were put on hold.
"For the past half year, it has been start up and stop, then start up and stop again with them," said Pleasant Township Chairman Keith Goldhardt. "It has not been the best of atmospheres to be in."
During the last phone call to the planning department, Fancher reported that they would send out their hard copy of the comprehensive plan would be in the steering committee’s hands on Dec. 3. Then the committee would review each section of the approved concepts during their monthly meeting and hold a public meeting to share the plan in January.
"It’s just time to get this thing done with," stated Goldhardt.
Fire news
After making an emergency run for a field fire, the 30-year-old fire tanker went belly-up on the way back to the station.
"It just died," said Pleasant Township Fire Chief Jay Noojin. "The drive shaft is damaged, the frame is fractured, and it’s just over the hill."
The fire tanker is critical during runs as it holds up to 200,000 gallons of water.
At the meeting, Noojin suggested implementing a committee that would oversee the purchase of a new tanker. There would be five people on the panel to oversee the purchase of the tanker that could cost up to $300,000.
"Ordering a custom made one could take up to six months, so we’ll have to discuss that, along with what the township can afford," he said.
In the meantime, the fire department has been running two engines during emergency trips and has mutual aid from other areas such as West Jefferson, the tri-county, and Prairie Township.
"That’s what’s great about fire departments," said Noojin. "They are always good at helping."
Salt woes
There is an increase in demand for salt this winter, but a decrease in supply. To make do, the township will be allocated 50 tons of salt this year, a reduction of 20 percent.
"We better hope we have the right weather and that 50 tons will get us by," said the Road Department Superintendent Jeff Karn. He noted that there is a reserve of 150 tons of salt on Kropp Road, which, weather permitting, will be enough.
In comparison, the township used 135 tons of salt last year.
FEMA money
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded the township $8,000 for cost reimbursements due to remnants from Hurricane Ike that swept through the state on Sept. 14.
