A local Boy Scout is taking on a Jerome Township project that is more than a century in the making.
Noah Cook is creating a time capsule to be placed in the Jerome Township Soldiers Monument, as part of his Eagle Scout project.
Trustee Chair Megan Sloat explained that Cook is going to spearhead the project, which she initially took on when she was elected to the board several years ago.
Sloat explained that the original monument was dedicated in 1913. At the time, local residents created a time capsule that was placed inside and marked to be opened in 2013.
When officials opened the capsule nine years ago, the contents were destroyed because the container was not weatherproof.
Now, officials are hoping future residents will get to experience the excitement of opening relics from today.
Cook said he has been in contact with the Plain City Historical Society, whose members have helped guide his project plan.
He proposed adding to the capsule flyers, history books, current documents and interviews with local people. Cook said individuals from the historical society encouraged him to add videos on DVDs along with a DVD player, in case future residents do not have one.
Trustee Wezlynn Davis recommended Cook interview residents whose family members have lived in the area for generations.
Cook said he would like to do so.
He noted that he will protect each artifact by double sealing it in two plastic zipper bags. Beyond that, Sloat said Ferguson Funeral Homes already donated a waterproof container that will function as the actual capsule.
The trustees unanimously approved up to $400 to fund Cook’s project.
Sloat said the goal is to host a ceremony to rededicate the capsule. Cook said he will likely complete the project by August.
In other business:
– The Board of Trustees voted 2-1 to remove Trustee Barry Adler from his position as the zoning department liaison.
The decision came after a nearly 40-minute executive session to investigate complaints against a public official.
Sloat and Davis offered little public explanation for their vote, aside from Sloat’s comment prior to her motion that “the role of zoning department liaison is not being carried out in a way the board envisioned and discussed.”
Adler voted against the motion, but joined his fellow board members in voting 3-0 to appoint Sloat to the position.
– Zoning Inspector Eric Snowden informed the board that the township received four responses to its Request for Qualifications seeking consulting firms to lead the comprehensive plan rewrite.
As previously determined by township officials, Snowden said a selection panel will convene to choose a consultant.
– The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to rescind a policy through which trustees closed public hearings related to zoning amendments, then voted at their next meeting.
Ohio Revised Code dictates that all decisions must be rendered within 20 days of the hearing. Sloat said the policy, which was adopted by a previous board, served to set expectations for applicants seeking a rezoning and allow trustees time to digest information before making a decision.
Without the policy in place, the board may still choose to wait to render a decision until its next meeting, or vote at the public hearing.
– The trustees approved job descriptions for the township administrator, office manager and administrative assistant positions.
– The board learned that hanging microphones ordered to improve the sound quality of livestreamed meetings did not work as anticipated. The township’s IT consultant plans to pair the microphones with a mixing board to see if issues with echoes are alleviated.