We are a mostly rural and residential community that is home to over 6,000 residents. Located in Fremont Ohio, we are dedicated to exemplary customer service to the residents of our township. We hope this site keeps you up to date with the services we offer to our residents.

**Ballville Township Trustees meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 4:30 at the Ballville Township House, 2220 Tiffin Rd., Fremont.  Meetings are open to the public.**

BALLVILLE TOWNSHIP IN REFLECTION OF 2011

By Bob Kusmer

As 2011 comes to a close, I would like to provide you with a summary of the year’s events for Ballville Township.  It has been a busy year with quite a bit accomplished by everyone.  We are very fortunate to have the people working for the Township who care about the residents of our community. 

The Cemetery Board lost three gentlemen to retirement;   Harold Knudsen, Wayne Lieske, and Howard Sachs. These men served for over 10 years on the board. Their expertise and knowledge will be missed.  Two new members were appointed; Jim Gillis and Jack Ferguson.  Jim has served for the Trustees on the Board of Zoning Appeals.  Jack has worked at Oakwood Cemetery for many years and brings experience with him.  The Cemetery Board has continued to work with the Stonehuggers Company to clean up the cemeteries.  Halter Cemetery was completed this year leaving only Mount Lebanon to be completed in 2012.  A new mower and burial tent were purchased for the cemeteries.

The Park Board, chaired by Kerry Wood, was very active this year.  They saw the construction of a new restroom facility in Conner Park.  The cost of the restroom was approximately $63,000.00 of which $14,000.00 was paid by a grant through ODNR. In June the Annual Cancer Walk was again held at Conner Park raising approximately $120,000.  They successfully received $3,928.05 from the Sandusky County Parks for the purchase of recycled posts to line the pavement areas of Conner Park.  The Township Trustees gave an addition of $5,457.74 towards the purchase.  Conner Park continues to be a very active place with the soccer club and various baseball teams using the Park’s facilities.  The Board also sponsored the annual Easter Egg Hunt and in the fall a Halloween Party. 

Work has begun on a master plan for the Chudzinski-Johannsen Park.  The purchase of 175 trees for $6,000.00 will be planted in the site.  These trees will be moved in position in 2016 when construction can begin.

The Park Board also lost Jim Ginnever to retirement.  Jim leaves with many years of service on the Board and he will be missed.

Becky Goodwin our Zoning Inspector works diligently with the residents of Ballville to answer their questions on zoning.  She has worked hard at the job constantly keeping up with the changes in zoning law.  We would also like to thank the member of the Board of Zoning Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeal for their service to the Township over the past years.

A special thanks to Bill Lagrou for his work as our superintendent of Roads and Parks.  He has many duties during the year and has handled them in a professional way along with kindness to the residents.  Ken Huffman, Chuck Steinbauer and the many other part time employees are hard working and are most appreciated by all of us.    We were able to pave a variety of roads this year, Emmett Street, Robert Ave., Luella Street and Twp Road 134 with Township monies totaling $84,650.000.  An additional group of roads were paved through Issue 2 grant money.  Twp Rd 173 was paved by a combination of Township money being 60% and 40% Issue 2 grant money at a total cost of $169,000.00. This year a total of 22,340 lineal feet (4.23 miles) of roads were paved.

The Issue 2 program submitted its list of Road for 2012 funding.  This year Ballville along with Rice Riley, Townsend and Washington went together on the grant to secure $314,056.00 for paving roads.  The total cost of the project is $785,139.00.  These grants are administered by Ballville Township acting as the Lead for all other Townships.  We prepare the grant application and take care of the financial documentation for the grant.

Many drainage projects were completed on Elm Drive, Twp Rd 168 and Twp Rd 126 at a cost of $24,105.00.  Other projects, including ditch work, were performed on Buchanan Road, Morrison Road and Twp. Rd. 43. 

The Trustees and Fiscal Officer have purchased a new Leaf Master Machine for leaf collection at a cost of $22,000.00.  A new Chevy extended cab 4x4 truck was also purchased for $23,843.61.  

A grant, which will pay for 50% of the cost of a new emergency siren, will help to expand our network throughout the Township.

A new fuel tank containment facility was built as a joint effort with the Ballville Township Fire Department.  Three tanks, which are located by the Township House, will supply the fuel with proper safety equipment

The main drainage project the Township is involved with is on Stahl Road.  In cooperation with the County Engineer, we are hoping to bid the first phase out in January 2012.  The estimated cost is at $136,000.00 to the Township.

The State has mandated a new sign retroflectivity program to bring all signs up to date with new developed coating for the signs to provide high visibility.  We are in the process of adopting the resolution, which will require us to administer the program over the next three years.  As part of the process, Ballville will act as the lead to create a Co-op between other townships for a bidding as a group.  We have already seen a $5,000.00 savings on a total purchase price of $23,375.62 for the 2012 signs.  The first Co-op bid included Ballville, Madison, Riley, Townsend and York Townships.

Finally I would like to thank my colleagues for their help and guidance over the past year.  We are very fortunate to have Mary Kay Gabel as our Fiscal Officer.  Her 23 years of experience has helped keep the budget balanced. Our Solicitor Att. Randy Strickler keeps all of us informed on proper procedures and changes in the law.  My fellow Trustees, Dave Stotz and Jerry Kessler, have continued to work united in all efforts to make Ballville a better township.  It is with regret we will see Jerry leave the Board after 8 years of service and additional 6 years on the Park Board.  His knowledge and expertise of the Township’s issues will be missed.

To the residents of Ballville, I hope our efforts will enhance the quality of life for you in our Township.  I have been very proud to be able serve you over the past two years.  From all of us that serve the Township, we will continue to work on improving our services to you. 

Bob Kusmer

Trustee Chairman