meet your new fire chief - casey curtis

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1 Licking County, Ohio Township Newsletter ~ Fall 2016 meet your new fire chief - casey curtis contact township officials: Jerry A. Miller FISCAL OFFICER FAX business office@granvilletownship.org Melanie J. Schott TRUSTEE / CHAIR melanieschott@granvilletownship.org Kevin Bennett TRUSTEE kevinbennett@granvilletownship.org Dan VanNess TRUSTEE danvanness@granvilletownship.org Casey Curtis FIRE CHIEF ccurtis@granvilletownship.org emergency numbers: in licking gounty: 911 outside licking county: Travis Binckley ROADS SUPERINTENDENT, CEMETERY SUPERINTENDENT, ZONING INSPECTOR/ COMPLIANCE OFFICER PHONE/FAX: roads@granvilletownship.org cemetery@granvilletownship.org zoning@granvilletownship.org COMMITTEE MEMBERS LISTED ON PAGE 5 The Township Trustees recently appointed Granville native Casey Curtis to become the Chief of the Granville Township Fire Department. His appointment resulted from the departure of Chief Jeff Hussey who left to take the position of Deputy State Fire Marshal in the Kasich administration. Prior to being appointed Casey was the Fire Captain, often filling in as the Chief during the absences of Chief Hussey. A 1996 graduate of Granville High School, Casey comes from a family noted for a history of civic involvement. His parents, Donald Butch and Janet Curtis are well known in the community. Butch is a fixture at the 4th of July and other Kiwanis events; Janet was an Emergency Medical Technician when the Granville Fire Department was a non-profit, volunteer organization. One of Casey s attributes is his knowledge of the Granville community and ability to lead and interact with the various agencies and local institutions. He has hit the ground running, for example, expanding the scope of emergency medical services to include pets. Working with local veterinarian Dr. Doug Wagner, who donated training and equipment to provide this service, other family members can now receive limited treatment. Pet owners will no doubt be gratified by this! Casey brings extensive firefighting experience to the position, having been engaged in firefighting for almost 20 years. His first full time firefighting position was with Liberty Township in In 2007 he obtained a full time position with the Granville Township Fire Department. His list of certifications is impressive to include Rescue Technician, HazMat Technician, Certified Fire Safety Inspector, EMT-Paramedic, and Fire Instructor. He also successfully completed the challenging Ohio Fire Executive course and is close to obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Fire Administration from Bowling Green State University. Casey is married to Erin Curtis, who operates her own State Farm Insurance agency in Newark. Erin also possesses a Granville connection, graduating from Granville High School in They are blessed with two daughters, Rachel, 10 years old, who is currently in the 5th grade at Granville Intermediate School and Lily, 8 years old, who is in 3rd grade at Granville Elementary School. We are pleased to have Casey Curtis as Granville s Fire Chief and look forward to a long and successful tenure. Stop by and say hello to the new chief when you have the opportunity!

2 granville township newsletter granville township roads Granville Township Road District is responsible for lane miles of roads within the Township. This includes repairing, resurfacing, assuring proper drainage, plowing and treating the roads throughout the winter. There are numerous other roads within the Township that are maintained by the Village, County and State of Ohio. The Township has a 10 year plan to resurface all its roads. The roads are evaluated each spring based on condition and age. This year s paving program consisted of paving 4.25 miles of road in primarily in the Southwest Quadrant of the Township. Those roads include: Callie Ct., Highgate Dr., Beechtree Ln., Knoll Dr., Winstead Circle, Kenwick Dr., Webster Circle, Wesleyan Circle, Trenton Circle, Amberly Dr., Old Columbus Rd., Country Ln., Clover Ct., Silver St., and Gooselane Rd. In addition to those roads and a collective effort with Union Township, James Rd. from Canyon Rd. west was also paved. Before any of the paving began Township crews replaced nearly 650 of drainage culverts under those roads in including two culverts with diameters greater than 60 that required assistance from the Licking County Highway Department. granville scenic byway Granville recently received designation in the Ohio Department of Transportation's Scenic Byway Program. The Granville Scenic Byway is approximately a 10 mile route, beginning at State Route 37, intersecting with James Road and continues north onto State Route 661 through the Village of Granville along the eastern campus of Denison University, and it ends 1/4 mile north of Cambria Road at the north boundary of Granville Township. Byway attractions include rolling hills, scenic farms, ancient burial grounds, pleasant residential districts and Denison University, with a mixture of historic and contemporary buildings. In addition to historic inns, Granville offers byway travelers unique and specialty item shops, restaurants and galleries. A special thank you to Nancy Reechie, Bill Habig, Deb Tegtmeyer, Alison Terry, and many others who completed countless hours working to get the byway designation clear back in Granville Township remains hopeful additional township roadways can be added to the byway in the future. For more questions on the Scenic Byway destination, please contact Melanie Schott at or refer to ODOT link at: Pages/GranvilleScenicByway.aspx maple grove cemetery Granville Township has two employees, Ralph Meisenhelder (Buck) and Kevin Henry whose primary responsibilities are to maintain the cemeteries. After 18 years of fulltime and additional years of part time employment with Granville Township Buck will be retiring in December. We sincerely thank Buck for his service and wish him an enjoyable retirement. This fall you will see a major improvement to the cemetery in the form of chip and sealing the majority of the cemetery roads. It s been probably twenty years since the roads have been done and lately it has been a constant chore of patching the potholes. Another change you will see in the near future is the addition of some ground at the west end of the cemetery. This was made possible by the donation of a parcel by the Welker family. Currently the area is heavily overgrown with brush and this winter we will selectively clear out the brush and trees. Along with the additional future cemetery lots it will expose a vista of the cemetery from the walkway path that is between South Pearl and the bike path. 2

3 Granville has been very fortunate to have community leaders and public support to allow us to control our own destiny. With annexation threats from our east neighbors and watching our nearby Columbus metropolitan communities have what looked like uncontrolled growth stacking subdivisions after subdivision right up to each other resulting in rapid loss of farmland and open space. We had foresight to see and address the challenge of what can Granville do to preserve our small town rural character. The Open Space Program is one tool that was developed to address the challenge. The program was started in the 1990 s following ideas set in the Granville Comprehensive Plan. The Township first used General Funds and eventually passed the first Open Space levy in 1997 and then again in 2001, 2006 and in The Granville Township OpenSpace Program is a long term investment in our community preserving open space and farmland in perpetuity for future generations plus the fact that residential development requires more public service costs than its taxes generate. Open space is acquired in two ways, one is through the Township purchasing the development rights and placing a conservation easement in the deed whereas the property stays in private ownership and the other is an outright purchase of the property. As of now the Township owns 1055 acres of easements granville township newsletter granville township open space QR 134 [ 25 QR 18 QR 112 QR 32 QR 115 GENERAL GRIFFIN M ORSE STON E VALLEY Legend CORNER QR 695 QR 86 QR 90 QR 67 BATTEE T4 T6 T5 RACCOON VALLEY C@ 16 QR 143 T10 T4 GOOSE LANE LOUDON STREET [ 110 and owns 571 acres outright of open space properties of which some is used publicly in the form of parks and recreation. Throughout the Township you will see Granville Township Open Space signs that have a number on them. You can go to the Granville Township web site and bring up the open space map that identifies the number on the sign with some corresponding information of that particular parcel. Granville is very unique, as we are one of only a few communities in Ohio that has identified and taken the steps necessary to preserve for future generations the qualities of what makes our community so attractive not only to us but too so many more. We have passed Open Space levies and utilized the funds to preserve our community as identified in our comprehensive plan. MOOTS RUN QR 111 QR 95 I VEWAY IVEWAY T3 T3 T7 T1 T2 QR 66 QR 142 COLUMBUS QR 869 QR 65 QR 94 GRANVIEW Granville Township [ 539 LAFAYETTE Cemeteries & Donations Open Space Funds Granville Township Open Space Properties Y T9 T8 T11 [ 140 QR 828 HAYES CREEK BURG ST QR 143 QR 108 QR 23 QR 431 STATE ROUTE T13 QR 10 T12 SILVER ST GLYN 37 QR 520 [ 139 NEW ORCHA QR 100 CARIN LN BURG OLD ST BROADWAY T14 CAT RUN T19 T16 T18 T20 FARM QR 109 T15 QR 874 T21 EBA UGH W T17 EST QR 42 LANCASTER C@ 37 LOOP [ 135 C@ 661 EAST COLLEGE ST [ 539 MAIN ST QR 131 Unrestricted Funds NORTH ST PEARL ST T35 T22 T22 L OOP T37 U NION Conservation Easements Village of Granville T40 T40 QR 102 STATION T23 T24 T24b T24a T38 QR 132 T25 QR 137 QR 118 RACE MILL QR 137 CANYON HANKINSON T26 T29 QR 602 BRYN QR 118 STUBLYN T27 T31 DU QR 133 QR 923 QR 697 [ 135 QR 120 CAMBRIA MILL T38 T30 T31 JAMES Y QR 63 GLYN TA WEL [ 121 [ 10 QR 633 QR 119 LLANBERIS WELSH LN JONES NEWARK-GRANVILLE STATE T32 T33 T32 CREEK PHILLIPS T28 ROUTE 16 RIVER HALLIE LANE LEES WELS H T34 HILLS QR 126 [ 539 QR 131 QR 871 WEXFO SUNNYS QR 598 QR 581 THORNWOOD [ 134 IDE SHARON MILNER CASE C@ 16 [ 810 QR 103 CHERRY VALLEY LO OP VALLEY KELLER [ 128 QR 127 NORMANDY [ 307 BRITTANY HILLS MAIN ST [ 811 QR 121 PRICE [ 122 [ 132 [ IRVING WICK Miles Disclaimer: This map was created by the Village of Granville from automated files and other sources of information obtained from the Licking County Engineer's Office and from various other sources. All data was gathered for the sole use of the Village of Granville. No warranties express or implied are made by the Village of Granville or its officers or employees for any of the information contained on or set forth on this map, and those who use this map do so at their own risk. Open Space Parcel #'s, which correspond to the numbers on this map, can be found on a separate spreadsheet attached to this document. July 21,

4 granville township newsletter solar energy in granville township After being approached by Granville Township residents requesting a protocol for approval of solar panels, the Granville Township Zoning Commission created amendments to the Zoning Resolution related to solar energy accessory systems and solar energy production systems. The amendments were approved by action of the Granville Township Zoning Commission on May 2, 2016 and were subsequently adopted by the Granville Township Trustees on May 25, 2016, and became effective on June 25, 2016 this year. No person shall cause, allow or maintain the use of a solar energy accessory system without first having obtained a zoning permit from the zoning inspector. A Solar Energy Accessory System is defined as a solar collection system consisting of one or more roof and/or ground mounted solar collector devices and solar energy equipment, which has a rated capacity of less than or equal to twenty five (25) kilowatts (for electricity) or rated storage volume of less than or equal to two hundred forty (240) gallons or that has a collector area of less than or equal to one thousand (1,000) square feet (for thermal), and is intended to primarily reduce on-site consumption of utility power. A system is considered solar energy accessory system only if it supplies electrical or thermal power solely for on-site use, except that when a property upon which the system is installed also receives electrical power supplied by a utility company, excess electrical power generated and not presently needed for on-site use may be used by the utility company and/or the regional transmission organization. A Solar Energy Production System can be applied for as a Conditional Use in certain zoned areas of the Township. A special thank you to the Granville Township Zoning Commission (Rob Schaadt/Chair, Vince Paumier, Judy Preston, Susan Walker, and Steve Brown) for the many hours they each volunteered to work on this language. For more information on this new zoning language pertaining to solar energy, please refer to Zoning Section of the Granville Township Zoning Resolution or contact our Zoning Inspector, Travis Binckley at for a permit. ceremony and historic marker honor restoration efforts at old colony burying ground This past July a significant celebration took place at the Old Colony Burying Ground marking 25 years of conservation and restoration at this historic local landmark. In the summer of 1992 restoration of the Old Colony Burying Ground was initiated under the supervision of the Union Cemetery Board. The restoration of the Old Colony Burying Ground is an ongoing project that is widely supported by a community that appreciates and preserves its history. In addition to funding from the Village and Township, resources for the initiative have been generously provided by many charitable, commercial, and service organizations, along with thousands of volunteer hours from the citizens of the Granville community. The event, held in the cemetery, also highlighted the efforts of the firm of Fannin Lehner Preservation Consultants which was was hired to direct gravestone preservation and documentation working with local volunteers. When starting, the cemetery was a landscape of devastation with most of the headstones down and the grounds covered with high weeds and littered with debris. Since the beginning of this project, hundreds of gravestones have been repaired or conserved and the grounds maintained to the level that it has become a significant historic attraction. Continued on Page 6 4

5 granville township newsletter conservation easements explained Conservation Easements, or as they are sometimes called Development Rights, are a tool the Township uses to stretch their Open Space dollars. Rather than buying a property outright the Township pays for the right to place an easement on the property. The cost is figured roughly as the difference in value between what the property would be worth if developed and what it is worth as farm land. This easement is designed to be permanent and unchanging forever. The land can still be sold but the conditions of the easement go with the land and must be followed by subsequent owners. The easement places conditions on the property such as there can not be any houses built or it can not be divided. Currently the Township has 17 conservation easements in place. Each one has different conditions which have been negotiated with the land owner. It is important to remember that the Township does not buy the land. Most of the properties identified by the Open Space signs are not owned but under a conservation easement. These properties do not belong to the Township and are still private property. Each property under easement is inspected each year by the Granville Township Land Management Committee to make sure the conditions of the easement are being followed. As of 2016 there have been no problems with any of the easements. fire department news In April, the fire department took delivery of a 2016 Braun Chief XL ambulance. The new unit is mounted on a 4 wheel drive Ford F-450 chassis with Liquid Spring rear suspension and a 6.7L diesel engine. All emergency and scene lighting is LED intended to be less stress on the electrical system of the ambulance. The truck was ordered and designed to replace a 2006 ambulance that was due to be replaced in Due to growing mechanical issues the schedule was adjusted for earlier delivery and the purchase of a second ambulance to replace the other 2006 is due for late 2017 was delayed until All fire department vehicles are on a replacement schedule and necessary funding is put in reserves and set aside on a regular annual basis. The new Braun is a great looking truck and was designed by the staff to meet all of the needs of providing the highest level emergency medical care all while staying well below the budgeted amount. The expected life the new truck is 10 years or more and Braun is well known for their quality, dependability and safety. Please feel free to stop by the station and take a look. On September 26, the fire department was thrilled to hear that they were awarded a grant provided by the Kiwanis Club of Granville for the purchase of a 2016 Honda Pioneer utility vehicle. The department recognized a need for this specialty vehicle and an opportunity to secure funding was pursued through the Kiwanis. The utility vehicle is a 4 person UTV that will allows rapid access to areas in the township that have limited or no access to full size trucks. The UTV will also be used for special events and allow for the transport of a sick or injured patient as well as all required emergency kits and personnel. Delivery was scheduled before the end of the month and the UTV would be ready for service within a few weeks after installation of emergency lighting and other accessories. The department is very thankful to the Kiwanis Club for their generosity and looking forward to the rapid and safe emergency services they ll be able to provide. township committees ZONING COMMISSION: Rob Schaadt/Chair, Vince Paumier, Judy Preston, Steve Brown, and Susan Walker BOA OF ZONING APPEALS Stacy Engle/Chair, Leonard Hubert, Jonathan Downes, John Gordon, and Andrew King OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE: Doug Wagner/Chair, Leonard Hubert, Bill Wernet, Dan Finkleman, Jeff Brown, and Vince Paumier. LAND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE LandManagement@granvilletownship.org Judy Preston, Emily McCall, Dick Kinsley, Andy McCall, Mickey Smith, Craig Connelly, Lynn Connelly, and Greg Dixon. 5

6 granville township newsletter Licking County, Ohio Granville Township Business Office Box 315 Granville, OH Telephone: Toll Free FAX: Presort Std. U.S. Postage PAID Permit #2609 Columbus, OH Board of Granville Township Trustees meetings are held the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at the Township Service Complex at 7:00 p.m. old colony burying ground Continued from Page 4 It is worth noting that the Old Colony Burying Ground was laid out on the town plat by the Village s settlers before they even left New England in The first burial was in 1806, and by the mid-19th century there had been more than 2000 interments. This cemetery, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the final resting place of many of the community s settlers and their descendents. The yard also contains the graves of veterans of five wars, including as many as 22 veterans of the American Revolution and numerous veterans of the War of 1812, Mexican War and Civil War. No other cemetery in Ohio has as many Revolutionary War veteran gravesites save Marietta. To highlight the historic nature of the cemetery and outline the remarkable community preservation effort, a historical interpretative plaque was also emplaced and dedicated at the ceremony. GPD officer Justin Woodyard stands honor guard at the gravesite of Elkanah Linnell, Granville s first constable. During the ceremony special thanks were also conveyed to Jim Patin and Keith & Lyn Boone for their extraordinary efforts over the years in preservation efforts. With the end of the Fannin s active involvement, maintenance and restoration work will be in their capable hands. The Granville community is truly blessed by having these and similar civic minded individuals. In addition to financial support from Granville Township, it should be noted that the dedicated maintenance service provided by Township employees Kevin Henry and Ralph Buck Meisenholder have played a major role in this ongoing community project.