Bedford board gives go-ahead for work on Smith Rd. stretch

Douglas-to-Lewis segment to be improved

4/8/2013

TEMPERANCE — Smith Road from Douglas Road to Lewis Avenue will be refurbished thanks to two projects paid for with funds from Bedford Township, the Monroe County Road Commission, and a federal grant.

The first project is to prepare Smith for the later, federally funded project. It will fill a crack that runs along the center of this segment of Smith, patch areas where needed, and remove a tree. The township’s cost will be $5,194; the road commission will pay $11,845.

The second, more costly project will chip and seal the Smith segment. It will cost $60,840, with federal money covering about two-thirds and the road commission picking up the remainder.

The township board gave the go-ahead for the first project at its meeting last week. The second project was announced by the road commission in October.

At the meeting, Supervisor Greg Stewart had some welcome news: two road projects — Summerfield Road between Monroe and Consear roads and Douglas between the Ohio line and Sterns Road — had recently become eligible for an increase in federal assistance.

The Summerfield work, to improve drainage and intersections, will be expanded and is eligible for an additional $202,320 if the township kicks in $44,200. The Douglas resurfacing work can attract an additional $31,920 if the township commits an extra $6,600.

The board approved the expenditures in both cases. For both projects, the township’s cost comes to $114,800, Mr. Stewart said. The road commission and federal assistance will pay the remaining $552,710.

Trustee Rick Steiner noted that qualifying for the increased federal support required a larger financial commitment from the township and confirmed the board’s prudence in deciding to forgo expenditures that would have depleted the township’s fund balance.

Discussion indicated the township would not gain by insourcing its payroll functions or switching to another outside contractor.

The township uses the firm Paychex for its payroll processing services for $4,068.74 a year. A quote solicited from another provider, Payroll Solutions, came in at $6,012.76 per year for fewer services. Another company, Payroll Express, quoted $3,315, but for far fewer services.

Meanwhile, the board approved a salary of $43,538 for Deputy Treasurer Krista Jandasek, who was sworn in last week. She succeeds Sandy Renius, who is retiring. Ms. Jandasek was the administrative assistant in the treasurer’s department.

The board approved hiring Nancy Gin as the part-time clerical assistant in the clerk’s department. She will be paid $13 per hour and work Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8 to 5 p.m. She replaces Kim Pollins, who now works in the supervisor’s department. Ms. Gin will get a 50-cent hourly raise in six months and another after a year. As a part-time employee, she receives no benefits.

The board approved a requested land split for property at 1450 Smith Rd. by approving a waiver from the ordinance requirement that a newly created parcel shall have a depth-to-width ratio no greater than 4:1. The board authorized an $18,900 contract with the road commission to mow ditches and roadsides.