Jerome Township officials are asking residents for patience as they work through the growing pains of new technology.
“It’s definitely a work in progress,” Trustee Chair Megan Sloat said.
The trustees began livestreaming their meetings via Facebook at the start of the pandemic after purchasing a new camera and microphones.
However, the group has cycled through audio equipment as residents often express their difficulty hearing certain speakers while viewing online.
Trustee C.J. Lovejoy said he was receiving texts from residents throughout the meeting advising they could not hear individuals using certain microphones or headsets.
In response to the complaints, officials enlisted the help of Dustin Newland of eGreen Computers, who helped purchase the proper equipment, to assist the township with their IT services.
He has sat through several meetings to monitor the livestream and adjust audio using a soundboard.
At the March 2 trustees meeting, Director of Departments Douglas Stewart proposed the township sign a contract for increased services from Newland.
He said Newland would work a half-day at the township once a week.
His time in Jerome Township would include setting up computers and updating software, hosting trainings and improving livestream capabilities, along with any emerging issues.
Stewart said the township would pay $2,500 a month for Newland’s services.
“I don’t know how you want to proceed, but I know we as a township need to do something,” Stewart said at the time.
Stewart presented a formal agreement Tuesday.
Though the trustees agreed with the need for more IT help, they expressed concern surrounding the contract.
Fiscal Officer Robert Caldwell was the first to sound the alarm.
Without comprehensively reviewing the contract, he said he could already see several points of concern.
Caldwell noted that the “term of agreement” appeared unclear. He said some sections of the document indicated it would be renewed on a monthly basis, while others listed the contract as a 12-month agreement.
“I agree, that is a little confusing,” Sloat said.
Caldwell added that the contract required full payment for 12 months of service if it is terminated in advance. He said a 30-day to 90-day cancellation period is typical, but he has not seen anything as long as a year.
He said the township’s legal counsel does not generally review contracts of this size but recommended they do so because they may have “significant issues” with the current document.
Trustee Joe Craft seconded Caldwell’s advice.
He said he feels the contract is a “good idea” but “some of the language is like they cut and pasted it out of a big law book.”
Stewart said he will forward the proposed contract to legal counsel for review then bring a revised version before the board.
In other business:
– Stewart emphasized that the date of the special election for the referendum on the rezoning of 24.74 acres along McKitrick Road has been moved to May 4.
Residents circulated a petition of referendum in response to a decision by the trustees to rezone the land from Rural Residential District to Planned Development District.
The rezoning would pave the way for Wicked Chicken, LLC to develop 40 single-family homes in a subdivision called the Farm at Indian Run.
The referendum petition essentially paused the trustees’ decision to rezone the area. Until the issue is voted on, parameters of the previous zoning – Rural Residential District – are still in effect.
Stewart said the date of the election was switched from November following an “interpretation issue.”
Union County Board of Elections Director Tina LaRoche explained Wednesday morning that the Ohio Revised Code indicates the special election is to be held on the next primary or general election after the referendum petition is filed, regardless of whether candidates are on the ballot.
She said the prosecutor’s office initially advised the referendum should be on the November ballot since Jerome Township will not have a primary election prior.
However, after more “digging,” she said the prosecutor’s office advised the “wording of the revised code” permitted the issue to be on the May special election ballot.
She said early voting on the measure began Tuesday.
Residents of Jerome Township can vote early at the Union County Board of Elections, 835 E. Fifth Street, Marysville, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. every weekday through April 23; 8 a.m.-7 p.m. the week of April 26-30; 8-4 p.m. May 1; 1-5 p.m. May 2; and 8-2 p.m. May 3.
Election day voting will be held at the Pleasant Valley Fire Station, Radiant Life Church and the Jerome Township Hall.
– Trustees set the public hearing dates for the development plan for Pioneer Crossing, development plan for Homewood (Phase One) and the rezoning for Homestead at Scott Farms to each be held prior to the trustees meeting April 20, beginning at 7 p.m.
– A blood drive will be hosted in the Township Hall from 2-7 p.m. April 14. Those interested in donating may schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or visiting redcrossblood.org and using the sponsor code “Jerome.” Michelle McCully, with the American Red Cross, said donors up to 24 years of age will receive at $10 e-gift card for donating.