GOSHEN TOWNSHIP — The township trustees approved a new phone and internet service deal Monday night.
Revenue official Tom Knoedler said he was contacted by an affiliate of AT&T, the community’s current provider, and informed of a special program the company had that would see the community join the FirstNet program and give them priority for restoring service in the event of a storm or other incident disrupting service. As part of the program, the community’s internet speeds would increase from 10 megabytes per second to 50 megabytes per second, Knoedler said, and the community would see a reduction in internet and phone service costs of about $60 per month over the next three Years.
Other approved financial matters included the sale of 12 contiguous lots at East Goshen New Cemetery and the implementation of a payment plan with the Schoolhouse Stitchers, with the quarterly payment date set for the first of the quarter. Previously, there was no set date for the payment to be made, with it being agreed that the club would make the quarterly payment once funds became available. However, Knoedler noted that since that original arrangement, the club had changed treasurers several times and payments were becoming increasingly late.
Police affairs included approving the promotion of Patrolman Hoyle West to the position of detective for the department and approving a set of policies outlining how, why and where money from the law enforcement and drug funds is used for community and police interests can be used with Ohio Revised Code.
Police Chief John Calko said the detective’s position had remained vacant since former detective Ryan McBride was promoted to lieutenant.
Calko also reminded residents that the annual Community Safety Day will be held on June 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by the annual softball game.
Damascus Fire Chief George Vernon wanted to remind residents that the state issued a fire ban from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from March 1 through the end of May. Vernon also reminded residents that it was time to check their smoke detector batteries after the daylight saving time.
Trustee Shawn Messler announced that the community has been approved as eligible for a state sign replacement grant and that the community is preparing an application. Messler also gave a brief summary of the results of the annual meeting with the Mahoning County Engineer and representatives from each municipality in the county.
Messler said the bridge on Middletown Road east of Stratton Road will be completely replaced this year, funded by the Columbiana County Commissioners, and that Damascus’ wastewater treatment plant would receive significant improvements. Messler also said the state would pave State Route 165 from State Route 14 east through the township to State Route 46. State Route 534 will also be repaved from State Route 165 north to where the previous chip-and-seal program in the area left off US Route 62 to State Route 165 done.
The county will pave Diagonal Road from State Route 165 to Duck Creek Road and Duck Creek Road from Diagonal Road to Calla Road. Messler also said the community is carrying out chip and seal work on Stratton Road between Calla Road and Western Reserve Road and work on Malmsberry Road will continue as much as possible.
Other deals included permitting the West Branch Hot Stove League to use the community baseball field as in previous years.
A special meeting will be held at 11:00 am on March 27 to appoint a new Treasury Officer following the departure of Knoedler, approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the Mahoning County Engineering Company, and discuss the road sweeping and spraying contracts for the Highway Department. After the meeting, there will be a farewell party for Knoedler from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m
The Trustees will hold their next regular meeting on April 10 at 7:00 p.m.
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