Springfield Township, Toledo to share cost of new siren

10/25/2007
BY CARL RYAN
BLADE STAFF WRITER

A "dead spot" on the line between Springfield Township and South Toledo that is beyond earshot of Lucas County's emergency outdoor warning sirens will be corrected, officials say.

Township trustees last week agreed to share the cost of installing a siren with Toledo. The bill will come to about $9,500 for each municipality.

William Halsey, director of the Lucas County Emergency Management Agency, told the trustees that the dead spot surrounds the intersection of Holland-Sylvania Road and Airport Highway.

The main purpose of the sirens is to alert the public to the approach of severe weather. In some rural jurisdictions, they're also used to summon volunteer firefighters. Lucas County operates the sirens, but the cost of installing them is paid by the political subdivisions in which they're located.

It was Toledo Councilman Rob Ludeman who suggested cost-sharing by Springfield Township and Toledo.

He said he was contacted by a constituent who lives in a condo on Bernath Parkway, near Airport, and was told the sirens are not audible when they are tested at noon on the first Friday of the month.

"We checked into it and found out there was a dead spot," Mr. Ludeman explained. "That could be serious when you consider the population there, including all the businesses and St. John's [Jesuit High School]."

He said the area around Arlington Avenue in South Toledo

had the same problem. It also will be corrected. "The money is there," Mr. Ludeman said.

Township Trustee Marylin Yoder said: "I think we should take the opportunity to work with Toledo on this."

The vote was 3-0.

In other action, the trustees approved the site plan for an expansion of the building and parking lot at Westside Montessori School, 7115 Bancroft St. The township zoning commission had recommended approval earlier this month.

The trustees also authorized hiring Toledo Fence and Supply Co. to install a batting cage at Community Homecoming Park for $4,549.

Fire Chief Barry Cousino recommended the township increase by 3 percent the fee it charges Holland for fire protection. Chief Cousino said the increase was necessitated by higher costs. The township now charges Holland $89,754.64 annually.

The trustees went into executive session to discuss a new three-year labor contract with firefighters but took no action.