By Noell Wolfgram Evans
Staff Writer
At the Jackson Township Board of Trustees meeting on Aug. 22, road construction held center stage.
The trustees were updated on a number of construction projects that will affect travel for township residents. Some of the construction plans discussed are imminent, some planned, and some proposed.
The proposed refurbishment of Borror Road continues to be a topic of discussion. This project is an estimated $6.1 million refurbishment of the road. The cost would be shared by Grove City, Franklin County, a group of developers, Jackson Township, and through the procurement of a grant.
Trustee Stephen Bowshier questioned if any money has yet been promised for the project on behalf of the township.
Township Administrator Mike Lilly confirmed that at this time, there have only been discussions on what each of the stakeholders could potentially put forth. Lilly also shared that once construction was completed, Grove City would take over control and maintenance of the road.
“Why would we, as a township, then pitch in and pay just to lose control of the road?” Bowshier asked.
Kayla Spellman, a resident of Borror Road had similar concerns.
“Why can’t the city just annex it?” she asked. “If it’s going to be taken over by the city, why not just give it to them now and be done with it.”
Trustee Dave Burris said, “The city, township and the county have gone in on things like this before. Big Run Road South and White Road three times.”
He explained that, while no decision has been made yet, the trustees always look at what’s best for residents long term.
Lilly noted that residents may have already noticed the preparation for the closing of Zuber Road at Borror Road. AEP will be cutting into the concrete and laying new conduit. When AEP completes their work and has the road replaced, Decker Construction will move in and put in new berms. Decker’s work was previously contracted for by the county. The work is expected to be completed shortly after Labor Day, said Lily.
Construction of a roundabout on Gantz Road will begin in September and will necessitate the closure of Gantz between Southwest Boulevard and Brookham Drive. Also undergoing some work in September will be Stringtown Road near State Route 104. White Road will act as a detour during this construction period.
In other news, Franklin County Sheriff’s Corporal Jason Ratcliff was provided an opportunity to introduce himself and explain his responsibilities.
Ratcliff is a member of the newly established community liaison unit. The unit consists of four members, each with responsibilities over a particular zone within the county. As Ratcliff shared with the trustees, his responsibility is a hybrid of community engagement and enforcement. While he has set hours for his shift, each member of the unit has the flexibility to adjust their hours to the needs of the community.
This, he said, “Allows us to have a focused enforcement on a complaint area.”
The next meeting of the Jackson Township trustees has been moved to 6 p.m. on Sept. 5. The move has been made to accommodate a public meeting concerning the proposed Borror Road renovations which will be held at 7 p.m. Both meetings will take place at the Jackson Township Administration Office, 3756 Hoover Road.
