As Jerome Township prepares for a largely new Board of Trustees, its staff took time Tuesday to reflect on the progress made during the tenure of the two outgoing trustees.
Director of Departments Douglas Stewart thanked Trustees Joe Craft and C.J. Lovejoy for their dedication throughout eight years on the board and presented the pair with shadow boxes with turnout gear from the Jerome Township Division of Fire.
“It’s easy to throw stones and cast stones… but we’ve got to look at all the good things that have been done in this township by the board members.
“Over the past eight years you’ve accomplished so much and it does not go unnoticed,” Stewart said.
He said township operations have improved through the trustees approving budgets that paved the way for increased staffing.
Stewart noted that Jerome Township has gone from having just a zoning inspector and clerk, to now also having an assistant zoning inspector and administrative/zoning assistant. He said the township is set to grow beyond its current staffing levels, as well.
Additionally, Stewart said the trustees have worked diligently to establish a relationship with the City of Marysville through the creation of a Joint Economic Development District (JEDD).
An Innovation District established under the leadership of the current board will also serve to attract quality commercial development, Stewart said.
He noted that facilities within the township have improved, as well.
The Township Hall underwent an incremental remodel that gradually added new windows, doors, flooring, siding, painting and the addition of IT equipment, Stewart said, while a salt barn that can hold 750 tons was built.
“Those investments that we have today will carry us forward into the future,” Stewart said
He also thanked the trustees for their investment in the Jerome Township Division of Fire.
Stewart said their “two most significant” accomplishments in that regard were the success of a fire levy that will sustain increased staffing levels, as well as the work toward constructing a second fire station to reduce response times.
“You truly have made Jerome Township a better place,” Stewart told the board.
Though Craft and Lovejoy said serving as a trustee is a challenging job, they shared their gratitude for the opportunity to do so.
“Although I’ve been a pharmacist for 26 years and my wife and I have owned a pharmacy for 22 years, the toughest job that I’ve ever had is being a township trustee,” Craft said.
He and Lovejoy each described themselves as “people pleasers” and said it was particularly difficult to make decisions that were unpopular among groups of residents.
Still, they said they always strived to do what they felt was best for the township.
“I truly believe I’ve given everything that I can back to the community, back to the township,” Lovejoy said.
Lovejoy said he is especially proud of their work to support first responders in the area and expand their staffing.
Craft added that he and Lovejoy joined the board when the township’s relationship with Marysville and Union County “wasn’t too good,” and they “have really made quite a few strides as to healing that relationship.”
He listed the JEDD agreement as an example, as well as their collaboration on the Jerome Township Innovation District.
The pair also thanked their fellow board member, Megan Sloat, as well as other township staff members.
Craft called Fiscal Officer Robert Caldwell “one of my favorite people” and emphasized that Caldwell is highly respected and often consulted on township decisions.
Ultimately, both outgoing board members said they wish township officials continued success and will be there to help whenever possible.
In other business:
-The board unanimously approved annual appropriations for 2022.
Caldwell explained that appropriations are approximately $6.8 million with $6.5 million in current estimates, though he is waiting for certified property tax numbers from the county auditor.
He said two items account for expenditures appropriated being in excess of revenue: $175,000 budgeted for the comprehensive plan update from the zoning fund and $523,000 from the COVID fiscal recovery fund.
He said $262,000, or half, of that money was received in 2021, but the full amount will be shown as an expenditure in 2022.