Over the last few months some lakeside residents have asked for action to be taken about the noise created by hobby boats (radio control) running on Springfield Lake. After several meetings with trustees, the park board and the hobbyists, a plan was mapped out and was approved by the trustees at their Aug. 14 meeting.
The new regulations are:
Remote control hobby boats will be permitted on Wednesdays and Sundays from 12 until 7 p.m.
Operation shall be conducted from the lakeshore and in an area of the lake no further west than the Veterans Memorial Park and no further east than the main entry to the Township Administration Building.
All hobby boats shall have a muffler mechanism but, at no time shall the noise level caused by the boats exceed 85 decibels at any point on the lakeshore or 67 decibels at any inhabited residential dwelling (for those who live on the lake and run the boats at their property).
Operation of the boats is restricted to casual, non-competitive operation by individuals. Any organization event involving more than six operators requires notice and approval by the township trustees or parks board at least 10 days prior to the event.
The township reserves the right to revise the rules at its discretion.
The parks board received approval from the trustees to use CT Consultants for the wetland delineation study at the proposed Millheim Park. This will be paid out of the grant received this year from the Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition. The parks board has applied for other grants.
The zoning department placed the expenses of clean up of 18 properties in the township upon the individual property’s tax duplicate as a lien upon the land.
Trustees will finalize the gazebo rental information by the next meeting. It has officially been named as the Bicentennial Gazebo. The board thanked all who worked on the Bicentennial Committee chaired by Nancy Rodrigues and co-chair Clyde McGee. They also stated that everyone who helped did a fantastic job on the recent 200-year celebration.
Officer Perry Linaburg gave the monthly report for the Springfield Police Department. He read a statement from Chief of Police John Smith thanking everyone involved in making “Rock the Docks” and the Bicentennial Celebration a success.
“It was a learning experience and a good test of our safety forces and I believe we passed with flying colors,” Smith wrote. He also stated that the way everyone worked together to plan the events that occurred without incidents speaks volumes about their commitment. “We continue to be proud to serve our community.”
Linaburg also stated that Smith would like to thank the new auxiliary unit who volunteered over 100 hours. This unit will continue to patrol parks, will be doing business contact updates, house checks, senior checks and helping police at other functions and in emergencies. The department is continually accepting applications. Brochures are available at the department or online at www.springfieldtownship.us, click safety forces and then police department and auxiliary unit. Linaburg also reminded residents that school would soon be back in session and to please watch out for children walking and those at bus stops.
An approval was given by the board to lower the lake level in the fall.
“Residents have been asking to have a chance to fix docks and retaining walls,” said Trustee Vince Mealy.
A date will be set to do so in coordination with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
The trustees will send a letter of recognition to Canton Road Garden Center for the help they have given to the township.
Mealy asked residents to take a look at the new Web site and make use of it often as updates of events and other good information will be there and kept current including links to many other sites that might be needed by community members. The address is www.springfieldtownship.us.
