Liberty Township

The board meeting included the approval of warrants and payment vouchers, and the creation of a resolution allowing the Fiscal Officer to email pay stubs to employees. A motion was passed to grant Columbia Gas a right-of-way easement at the Cemetery on Washington Street for $5000.00 until August 2026. Discussions regarding road maintenance resulted in motions to purchase 300 tons of gravel, hire Mid-Ohio Tree Service for $5000.00 for tree removal, and purchase an additional 50 tons of deicing salt due to the severe winter. The Zoning Inspector reported ongoing issues with the Rippling Stream and Moose Lodge buildings. The board addressed new business by transferring website control to the Township Secretary with a $300.00 monthly stipend and retaining Cathy Smith for six months of maintenance. Pricing for road paving, chip seal, fog seal, and motor paving projects was reviewed.

The meeting began with the swearing-in ceremony for newly elected Trustees Matt Bader and Randy Kemmerer. During public comments, the Fairfield County Sheriff's Office distributed December statistics, and a new Litter Control Officer was introduced. The Board held an executive session to discuss legal and personnel matters before returning to regular session. Key actions included the election of Randy Kemmerer as Chairman and Robert Alt as Vice Chairman for 2026. Several resolutions were approved: Resolution 1-2026 established the time and place for 2026 meetings; Resolution 2-2026 authorized the disposal of Township property via internet auction; Resolution 3-2026 designated the Fiscal Officer for Certified Public Records Training; and Resolution 4-2026 authorized the Fiscal Officer to use a signature stamp. Appointments were made for liaisons to the Road Department (Trustee Alt) and Cemetery Department (Trustee Bader), as well as representatives to the Fairfield County Health District Council (Trustee Kemmerer), Fairfield County Regional Planning Commission (Jarrod Mahaffey), and the Village of Baltimore (John Daft). Appointments or reappointments were also made to the Liberty Township Zoning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals. Wage rates for 2026 were modified, increasing pay for specific personnel and setting meeting stipends for Zoning Board members. The Board approved warrants and purchase orders, including one for 100 tons of road salt and another for truck wheels. Reports noted issues with a recently repaired truck and an update on the Fire Board where firefighters received a 7% raise.

Key discussions during the meeting included a Public Records Request for the audio file of the July 21, 2025 regular meeting minutes and a review of the July Liberty Township statistics provided by the Sheriff's Office. The board approved several financial actions, including warrants, payment vouchers, withholding vouchers, and purchase orders, and passed a resolution to accept the Rates and Amounts from the County Tax Commission. The board entered and exited an executive session to discuss legal matters with Legal Counsel. In road matters, the board approved the purchase of a 2015 New Holland skid steer from Berne Township for $18,000. The Zoning Commission reported on permit issuances and ongoing updates to the resolution manual concerning short-term rentals and energy storage systems. Old business involved a decision to square up the Bright cemetery boundaries with adjacent property owners without exchanging land.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. Discussions included the distribution of October statistics by the Fairfield County Sheriff's Office representative. The Trustees entered and exited an executive session to discuss legal matters with counsel. Key actions included the acceptance of new Zoning fees, effective November 3, 2025, and the approval of warrants and purchase orders detailed in the Fiscal Officer's report. A motion was passed directing Ohio Insurance Services to file the Township's paperwork for the Affordable Care Act Program for 2025. Old business covered Trustee Alt's meeting with Howard Wright regarding Havensport Cemetery property lines, and a meeting with the County Engineer concerning water drainage issues affecting the Blackstone property on Fisher Road, which may require an easement and cost between $10,000 and $15,000 to resolve. Also discussed were repair pricing for the tornado siren on Stoudertown Road. New business included Trustee Kemmerer addressing funds for bridge approach straightening on Roley Road, a discussion on legal fees, and consideration of reducing meetings to once a month starting in 2026. Correspondence addressed a nuisance property at 9410 Stoudertown Rd.; after determining the exterior debris removal was sufficient, the Trustees decided any interior health concerns should be addressed by the Health Department.

The meeting covered several operational and administrative matters. The Road Supervisors reported on assisting the Basil Joint Fire department with a barn fire, addressing a downed stop sign, and resolving a water/fuel issue on a repaired truck. A resolution was passed to reimburse Township Road workers for cell phone usage retroactively to January 1, 2024, at a rate of $20 monthly. The Board also approved the appointment of Trustee Alt to the Basil Joint Fire Board for the year 2026, replacing Trustee Keller whose term expires on December 31, 2025. New business included the authorization of Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit) for all Township employees.