BY DIANNE ROZAK, DANBURY TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE

As we move forward into 2019, the staff at Danbury Township continues to excel at meeting the needs of residents and visitors. Road Superintendent Brett Waldron and his employees do an extraordinary job of keeping parks, roads and township property in superb condition.

The department handled 25 funeral services; coordinated brush grinding and leaf drop-off; distributed free mulch; held one clean-up week; maintained parking areas, lawns and ball fields at six parks, the cemeteries and the shelter house; performed maintenance on buildings and equipment. They oversaw the repaving of Jeannie Drive, Deer Run Trail, Bluebird Lane and the base repair on Kirk Road; did crack sealing and berming; cleaned ditches; maintained brush and trees in the township rights-of-way and parks;   treated invasive plant species at Meadowbrook; attended training sessions including pesticide recertification; coordinated election set-up and again participated in Wreaths Across America. Superintendent Waldron also worked diligently at securing an additional 400 tons of salt during a statewide shortage.

The Police Department, managed by Chief Michael Meisler, has eight full-time officers, including a first-ever two female officers. Our officers provide protection 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with seven marked and two unmarked vehicles. The officers drove 127,080 miles patrolling during 2018. Total incidents were 4,199. The department handled 17 incidents inside the Village of Marblehead and 179 within Lakeside.

Former K-9 Joe-Joe assisted 23 drug searches, four building searches and four tracking situations. He was involved in 24 training events and 22 assists to other agencies. A new K-9 is now being trained. Police incidents with high amounts of attention included house watch requests, alarm calls, lockouts, suspicious persons or vehicles, traffic complaints, theft and property damage. The department is located at 419 S. Bridge Road where residents may use a secure document shredding service and bring unwanted prescriptions for disposal. Call 419-732-2549 to make arrangements for the free services. The township’s recycling bins are located on the south side of the police department property.

The Danbury Township Fire Department led by Chief Keith Kahler reported 912 incidents, including: 720 EMS calls, 37 fire calls, 27 motor vehicle accidents, 71 fire alarm activations, nine carbon monoxide activations and 48 mutual aid calls, with 772 patients transported. Fire Department’s incidents rose 14% over 2017. The department roster totals 47. Sincere thanks are extended to our residents for the passage of the fire & EMS levy in May. The department purchased two state-of-the-art ambulances, a new Jaws of Life, radios and base station equipment during 2018.

The Danbury Township Zoning Department, overseen by Kathryn Dale, continues to be the center for residential and business growth and expansion, issuing 256 permits, 11 more than in 2017. Single family home permits totaled 30, and commercial activity yielded eight new commercial structures and additions. Residential improvements continued in large numbers, including additions, fences, porches, decks and accessory structures. This points to the continuing trend of retirement to our area with improvements versus starting anew. The Board of Zoning Appeals heard 25 cases and the Zoning Commission heard four.

The office responded to 6,722 calls, emails and in-person inquiries, went on 991 site visits and sent 58 violation letters. The Zoning Department works in conjunction with businesses seeking to locate or expand in the township and also works closely with commercial and residential developers, business owners and residential property owners to design projects that will add to the township’s economic, environmental and social well-being.

The trustees wish to extend their heartfelt thanks to residents for the passage of a 5-year .6 mil levy for operating expenses. This will enable us to resume three clean-up weeks throughout the year, two annual newsletter mailings. Our newsletters will also be available on the township’s website along with other current information.

The www.danburytownship.com website was updated in June and relaunched in a WordPress format. Trustees will host the 6th annual Danbury Dog Show on May 19 to benefit the Humane Society.