May 26, 2011
Orange to seek rec center information By BONNIE BUTCHER ThisWeek Community Newspapers
The Orange Township Park Board is collecting information that could lead to development of a community recreation center. The park board and its staff are developing a request for proposal (RFP) document to find a company to help
them answer questions regarding a community center, said parks manager Beth Hugh. The township wants to find a company with expertise to help identify what services and programs residents want a community center to offer and whether public-private partnerships could help fund and run the facility. The company would be experts in the
field, Hugh said, noting that the parks board hopes to seek trustee approval for the RFP in about a month. The township has discussed building a community center since 2007. In October 2010, trustees hired the architectural and engineering firm Floyd Browne Group to help determine what township locations would be feasible. “We’ve had discussions with Floyd
Browne, because they know the area so well, about property owners, people who might be willing to donate some ground, options about development and how (a center) could fit in (an area) and connections with the trails,” Hugh said. Hugh said discussions with the firm have not resulted in a particular location site, and she could not disclose the locations discussed. Land purchases can
By BONNIE BUTCHER ThisWeek Community Newspapers
See POWELL, page A7
See ORANGE, page A6
Genoa considers agreement to put soccer fields at park
Powell to POKER FACE replace holiday tree The tree Powell uses for its December tree-lighting ceremony will be replaced with a 12- to 14foot Colorado blue spruce. On May 17, city council approved spending $844 to buy the tree. Council members Don Grubbs, Jim Hrivnak, Tom Counts, Brian Lorenz and Mayor Art Schultz approved the spending. Council members Sara Marie Brenner and Richard Cline were absent from the meeting. The current tree is dying, city manager Steve Lutz said. Its replacement will be ready for this year’s tree-lighting ceremony. The funds, which were transferred to the parks operating fund, came from council’s contingency funds. Each year, council sets aside money for unplanned expenses. For 2011, it put $75,000 in its contingency fund, which now has about $59,000, Lutz said. Previous expenses from the account include unemployment claims and tree trimming and clearing. The tree will be part of the bid package for other city trees needing to be replaced, Lutz said. Council also: • Heard council member Tom Counts say the city’s finance committee met with its insurance broker and discussed health benefits. Tom Counts “We learned that as health care costs go up, the world of health care is changing and the city is on the edge of that with moving to a health savings account,” Counts said. “We also learned that because of the size of our (employee) group that it’s difficult to generate any additional savings. In big organizations they’re instituting management practices — a fitness center, wellness program — that can create additional savings.” • Heard that resident Jane Van
be discussed in executive session. About 26 people turned out for an open house held by the park board May 18. The event included displays of the parks master plan and maps of current and future trails and amenities. Township trustee Jennifer Christian, the park board liaison, said the board’s
By BONNIE BUTCHER ThisWeek Community Newspapers
By Tim Norman/ThisWeek
John Knighton of Galloway lets his poker face slip as he enjoys the company of the people at the Texas Hold ’Em table during Las Vegas Nite at Powell’s City Hall on May 21. The event was a fundraiser for the Cozy Cat Cottage Adoption Center, 62 Village Pointe Drive. The proceed benefits the “KIN (Kittens In Need) Fund” which is used to help any rescued cat or kitten that needs emergency or extensive medical care.
Genoa Township is considering an agreement with the Central Ohio Soccer Association (COSA) to improve 26 acres of parkland on Sheffield Park Drive, near Jaycox Road. Donated to the township by Virginia Homes in 2009, the land needs extensive grading work, parks manager Ron Keil said. COSA president Bob Tener told trustees May 19 the association would like to improve the property by constructing about six fields for sports such as soccer and lacrosse. “Over the past year and a half, we’ve been discussing opportunities to partner with the township on a way to develop this parkland and use it A closer look for athletic fields,” Tener Genoa Township is considersaid. Trustees af- ing an agreement with the firmed their in- Central Ohio Soccer Associterest, saying ation (COSA) to improve 26 they had con- acres of parkland on cerns about Sheffield Park Drive, near parking, traffic Jaycox Road. The agreeand landscape ment, which is still developbuffering for ing, would include the townnearby resi- ship seasonally receiving $5 dences in from each player’s fees. Sheffield Park. That money would go to the Tener said township’s park improveCOSA would ment fund. need to “secure a 25-year lease” on the property. The agreement, which is still developing, would include the township seasonally receiving $5 from each player’s fees. That money would go to the township’s park improvement fund. COSA also suggests the site have a trail, utilities, a parking lot and driveway, and a building See GENOA, page A6
Delaware County sewer plant cost rises By SARAH SOLE ThisWeek Community Newspapers
The Lower Scioto Water Reclamation Facility is nearly complete, but construction modifications continue to drive up the original contract price. The sewage treatment plant is being built on 40 acres east and west of U.S. Route 42, and along Moore and Dublin
roads in Concord Township. Delaware County commissioners on May 16 approved a $717,000 change order for the project, which will pay for modifications to a sewer line that will feed into the facility. The sewer line, 36 inches in diameter, initially was planned to run toward Dublin Road in an east to west direction at a length of 150 feet. While the line will still
exit the plant at the same location, it will instead run north to south for 400 feet. The new location puts the sewer line behind residences, making it less intrusive and in a location viable for future development, said environmental services director Tiffany Jenkins. The change order puts the construction cost at $23,336,655. The original contract was $21,986,625. The Concord-
Scioto Community Authority and county sewer funds will pay for the project. “This is one of those issues that I don’t like but that I’ll probably have to vote for,” commissioner Ken O’Brien said during the meeting. “It would have been better if the original plan had been implemented on the See DELAWARE COUNTY, page A2
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Annie, a Chihuahua mix, is up for adoption at ADOPT Pet Rescue in Westerville. For information on adopting Annie, visit ADOPT’s website: adoptpetrescue.org. Watch a video of Annie at ThisWeekNEWS.com.
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