A Jerome Township resident is questioning how decisions are made when it comes to use of the township hall.
At Monday’s trustee meeting, Resident Barry Adler asked the trustees to develop a set of written policies and procedures about who can use the hall. Adler said that after the last meeting, he requested a copy of written policy and vetting process for use of the township hall.
“In his response, Mr. Rhodes (trustee Ron Rhodes) basically indicated that policies and procedures were being followed, but any written policy and procedures could not be found,” Adler said.
Adler said he knew of “several inconsistencies” regarding the use. In a Dec. 7, letter to Rhodes, Adler asked about those inconsistencies
“Last year when a group of residents requested to use the facilities to meet to discuss files for a pending public rezoning hearing we were told that we had to pay a rental fee for its use, even though no other use was scheduled at the time requested,” Adler wrote. “I am having trouble understanding how residents can be denied use of our public facility to discuss a public zoning application, but a business group like the Industrial Parkway Association that offers services to local businesses can use it free of charge.”
He asked if one employee, the board of trustees or by another group, gives approval for hall use.
He also noted several businesses entities using the township hall and either paying resident rates or apparently not actually paying any fees. He specifically mentioned a Sept. 12 rental by the attorney petitioning a variance for a proposed FedEx hub.
“I was not able to find any payment deposit listed for that date on the receipt journal,” Adler wrote.
Adler said he wanted to know if a payment was made and if any township officials attended the meeting.
“I have not received any further response at this time,” Adler said.
He said the township needs a written policy and procedures, “for how the decisions are made and to more clearly determine who is vetted to use our public township facility.”
Adler also addressed the proposed FedEx hub on a 99-acre site at 8341 Industrial Parkway. The developer has asked for a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals.
The board was to hear arguments and public comment last week, but continued the hearing until Jan. 10 because the applicant asked for the entire board to hear the case. He said the FedEx facility would create a traffic concern.
“You have said repeatedly that it is up to the county to deal with the traffic issues,” Adler said. “However, this is not entirely true.”
He said developers have offered to pay their share for improved infrastructure but the roads are already “substandard.”
“Unfortunately the county engineer also indicates that funding is limited and the prioritizations do not look good for any short term upgrades, unless other funds can be developed or current funds are reprioritized,” Alder said. “Even if some of the new proposed developments occur and contribute their ‘fair share’ for increased traffic on these roads. The existing problems may not get fixed in the short term and may likely become much worse.”
He said the roads are a safety concern and additional traffic would only make the problem worse. He said the trustees would hopefully not wait until someone was killed in a fire to address a shortage of fire trucks. He said he hopes the trustees will be similarly responsible and make certain infrastructure is improved before adding more traffic.
“You have repeatedly said that you have no control over traffic, but the fact is that you continue to approve more developments that only add more traffic to already overburdened roadways. Don’t add more fuel to the fire,” Adler said.
He said he is frustrated that BZA officials are limiting public comment at the hearing. Adjacent property owners will be allowed to address the board for more time, but property owners not adjacent to the project will have just three minutes to comment.