By Dedra Cordle
Staff Writer
An executive search firm will assist Jackson Township in the process of finding a new administrator,
At its June 12 meeting, the board of trustees unanimously approved the hiring of the Cincinnati-based Novak Consulting Group to recruit for the open position. The board stipulated the cost is not to exceed $25,000.
Chairman Dave Burris said they contracted with the consulting company because of their vast experience in administrative hiring matters.
“They know what they are doing and they know what to do to attract an administrator,” he said.
He added that the search process will take several months to complete.
“We are looking at the end of September or the beginning of October before we have our new administrator,” he said.
The township’s administrator position has been vacant since last year upon Mike Lilly’s retirement. Since then, several township officials have filled in that capacity, with assistant township administrator Lynn Bruno currently serving as the acting administrator.
At the beginning of the year, the trustees held their own search for candidates but could not reach a consensus.
“We interviewed many people, but unfortunately we were unable to agree on one person,” said Burris.
He said he is confident the executive search firm will be able to find a qualified candidate to become the township’s administrator.
Cell Tower
Rob Ferguson, an employee with the United Acquisition Services Inc., and a consultant for Verizon, came to the meeting to discuss a proposed cell tower on Zuber Road. According to Ferguson, they have been in a two-year long discussion with American Electric Power regarding this property – the tower would be on a lot adjacent to the substation – but the two entities have yet to reach an agreement about easement issues.
“At this time, we are looking at other options.”
Ferguson said the second option, and the one less preferred for coverage, would be to put a cell tower at a location on Hoover Road, near State Route 665 and Zuber Road. The tower would be located 700 feet off the road.
The trustees said they preferred the proposal at Zuber Road to the proposal at Hoover Road. They asked Ferguson to keep them abreast of correspondence between Verizon and AEP and said they were willing to hear more about the latter proposal should the former fall apart.
Meeting time change
There will be a change in trustee’s meeting times for the upcoming months. Beginning on June 26, the evening meeting times will be changed to 1:30 p.m., rather than be held at the regular time of 7 p.m. Burris said the change will be also be effective for July 24, Aug. 21 and Sept. 18. The meetings will still be held at the township administrative building, located at 3756 Hoover Road, unless otherwise designated.
