Deal OK'd for repairs to Erie Road

TEMPERANCE -- Erie Road between Summerfield and Minx roads is to be repaired next year at a cost of about $310,000.

The Bedford Township board last week approved a contract for the improvements with the Monroe County Road Commission. The township's share of the cost is to be $175,750.

Trustee Larry O'Dell explained that the improvements were not intended to be permanent. "The side of the road will be built up and we're going to use zone patching and chip seal. It should be good for four to five years," he said.

Trustee Paul Francis said the township's share of the cost would come out of the 2013-14 general fund budget. The money would be available, he noted, "so I totally support this."

In other business, the board declined an offer of $330,000 for a 99-year lease on the cell phone tower behind the township hall, believing it did not reflect the value of the revenue stream the township received from the equipment. The offer was made by Wireless Capital Partners LLC.

The tower generates $33,000 annually for the township and carries antennas for Verizon and T-Mobile. The Verizon lease has 14 years left and the T-Mobile agreement has 16 years left.

Township attorney Tom Graham said approving the offer would mean a loss of control for the township. Mr. Francis recommended that a counterproposal be made after completion of a detailed analysis.