Friday, May 23, 2008

Sylvania Township Update

Where do I pick back up? In an effort to move beyond the rhetoric last fall I took a break from posting while the fire levy compromise was in the works. It was all too easy to get out of the habit of posting, so here I am 6 months later trying to figure out where to start.

First Things First - A Successful Fire Levy

The fire levy passed. That's good news. It puts to rest the uncertainty on the direction of the department and the level of service. The trustees have a clear plan, as put forth by the Fire Chief's levy proposal, on additions to our staff, construction of new buildings and new equipment and apparatus purchases.

We are moving forward on implementing those plans, which include:
  1. Building three new fire stations to replace stations 1, 2 and 3. Geographically they will be in the same location, but we are reviewing potential site locations in order to increase safety and response times.
  2. Remodeling station 4 to accommodate the department headquarters including training facilities.
  3. Increase shift staffing to 55 firefighters which is the desired staffing level needed (according to Chief Welsh) to staff 14 firefighters on duty at all times.
  4. Add a new day shift which will provide 2 additional full-time firefighters from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday thru Friday. Peak usage of our fire and EMS services tends to be during the weekday, thus these two firefighters will help to meet peek demands on our fire department as well as minimize overtime due to training.
  5. Enhance our part paid/volunteer program. Volunteer firefighters have been a vital part of the Sylvania Township Fire Department for 35+ years, but in the last few years the program has waned. The program as Chief Welsh has outlined will do two things. First, it will provide for volunteers to be scheduled to work evening and weekend shifts to supplement our full-time crew. Second, it will provide a larger pool of people to respond in the occasional instances of large and involved fire or emergency medical incident.
I supported the chief's proposal because it introduced into our department an economically sustainable staffing structure that will help to keep our excellent level of first responder services at a price our community can afford to pay.

To be clear, the levy that was approved will not begin to be collected until February 2009. Given that, and a very tight 2008 budget, we are limited on how quickly we can implement the entire levy proposal. But we are certainly moving in that direction and look forward to successfully fulfilling the promises of the levy in 2009.

Police Citizen Patrol

With the success of the Citizens' Police Academy, the police department has been able to launch a new endeavor designed to enhance the quality of life in Sylvania Township. As explained on the police department's website:

"The Citizen Patrol is an extension of the [Sylvania Township Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association] that expands their ability to serve the Sylvania Township Community. The Citizen Patrol works in partnership with the Sylvania Township Police Department and supplements the efforts of its sworn officers in keeping the community a safe and enjoyable place to live, work, and visit.

Volunteers patrol designated areas in a marked Sylvania Township Citizen Patrol Vehicle and wear the Citizen Patrol Uniform, both bearing their distinctive burgundy and yellow logo. Citizen Patrol volunteers conduct high visibility, crime prevention patrols and act as observers and reporters of criminal and/or suspicious activity. Citizen Patrol Volunteers do not carry firearms and are not sworn police officers.

All members of the Citizen Patrol have received specialized training and undergone extensive criminal history checks. Members of the Citizen Patrol must follow all rules, regulations, and standards of conduct set forth by the Sylvania Township Police Department. "

This is a great addition to our community. I applaud the police academy alumni, Chief Metzger and Officer Sarah Toth for their initiative and dedication to our community. If you would like to learn more about the Police Academy and their work including the citizens patrol, please visit the police department's website at: Volunteer Citizen Patrol

Zoning Challenges

Certainly the affects of the mortgage crisis and slowing economy has shown their affect on residential properties in our community. Last year, the trustees approved spending on lawn maintenance for more residential properties than is typical, many of which were in foreclosure. (This is not a way to get you grass cut for free; such expenditures are recouped via tax assessments including administrative and legal costs.)

Our Zoning Resolution does require property owners to maintain their property in reasonable condition, including mowing the lawn, removing trash, etc. Unfortunately our ability to remedy problem situations is limited and often involves extended periods of time. Our new zoning administrator, Mr. Tim Dewitt, is monitoring problem properties, keeping in contact with owners, real estate agents, and mortgage companies as appropriate to try to encourage voluntary compliance.

When action is necessary, the trustees can and do approve lawn maintenance expenditures. Unfortunately, this process is not quick and action is not taken until the property has deteriorated beyond what many neighborhoods and subdivisions consider acceptable. And the lawn services provided are not necessarily aesthetically pleasing, rather it is functional and efficient use of township resources.

If you are aware of property that you believe is being neglected, whether due to foreclosure or other reasons, please contact our Zoning Department at 419-885-5276. I can't promise immediate improvements to the property, but we will do what we can to work with property owners and other interested parties to make improvements so that Sylvania Township can maintain its quality neighborhoods.

Finally, Let's Talk Money

At the end of 2007, cash resources of the Township increased by $5,737,488.46 from the end of 2006. This includes an increase of over $3.2 million in the general fund; almost $700,000 increase in the police fund; and almost $250,000 in the fire fund (this carryover balance will help maintain service levels in the fire department for 2008 until the department begins to receive the new levy revenue).

The only major fund that had a decrease in fund balance from 2006 to 2007 was the Road & Bridge Fund. The decrease was $17,000. The road department works on a different budgeting horizon, often saving up cash resources for several years in planning a large road project, so it is not unusual for the cash balance to vary greatly from year to year. Bottom line is that despite this small decrease in cash balance, the road department is in good financial position.

What does this mean, to have increased cash resources by almost $6 million to $14,282,862.35? Some believe this means we are being careful with taxpayers dollars, simply by having not spent all the money we received. (Having excess cash is good, but it is not necessarily evidence that wasteful spending does not happen.) Others believe that all of this money means we should be spending more in the fire department. (Just because we have money doesn't mean we should spend it. All township services should be efficient and effective, so that we are not wasting money. ) And still others believe that this means we should be cutting taxes and letting our residents and businesses keep more of their money.

The right answer is probably a combination of all of these. It's a delicate balance and obviously there is a wide range of opinions s to whether that balance has been met. But I continue work hard to do what I can to keep a good balance of keeping cash reserves, spending wisely, and keeping taxing as low as possible so that we stay "A Place to Grow".
Thank you for joining me in this township update. I encourage you to forward it on to other township residents and businesses.

Sincerely,

DeeDee Liedel
Sylvania Township Trustee