Perrysburg Twp. mulls abatements for 2 firms

12/3/2002

Two Perrysburg-area businesses may be on the move, with one leaving the city for the township.

American Steel Treating, a longtime industrial business on Perrysburg's west side, is looking to move to a former ConAgra facility on Perrysburg Township's AmPoint Industrial Park, off I-75 at Buck Road.

Likewise, First Solar LLC, a township success story, needs room to grow; it is planning to expand into a new building in the Cedar Business Center off State Rt. 795 at Oregon Road. It currently operates from a plant on Eckel Junction Road in the township.

Township trustees expect next week to talk about the tax abatements each business is requesting. Residents have questioned possible noise, traffic, and litter near both sites.

Discussions about the two moves were limited at last night's meeting. Ranks were thin as bad weather, ill health, and hunting season took a toll on attendance.

Trustees Nathan Hagemeister and Robert Mack were the only trustees attending, and clerk John Hrosko zipped through the agenda.

Trustees got a wake-up call when they asked about the township's tornado siren system. Police Chief Denny Dauer the township has seven sirens, but two don't work. Mr. Mack said the cell phone towers cropping up all over the township might be suitable homes for replacement sirens. The men voted to go ahead with needed replacements and testing of the system before spring.

“This is one area where we can't worry about where it goes in the budget,” Mr. Hagemeister said.

In other business, township employees accustomed to a deluxe holiday party at a local hotel will have to make do with a turkey this year. In the past, the township spent up to $6,000 for the affair, Mr. Hagemeister said. “It was a nice party, but only some people came. This way, everyone is treated the same way, and we save some money,” he said. The board voted to pay the $75 room rental fee for a smaller-scale Holiday Inn party where each guest pays his own bill.

Trustees voted to spend no more than $3,700 for 140 turkeys, and gave the order to Britten's Turkey Farm, a township business owned by Dick Britten, a former council member.

Recreation Director Robert Warnimont reported demand at the monthly distribution of food to the township's needy has risen from 216 to 231 families. He said his crew is gathering toys, food, and money to help Operation Breadbasket provide holiday meals and gifts to 90 local families.

“For years we took care of about 60,” he said. “All the foundations and agencies are having the same problems. Demand is right up there.”

Applications for the new job of township administrator, which pays $60,000 a year, were narrowed to 11 interviewees this week. More than 80 people submitted resumes for the job; the trustees hope to hire the administrator by January.