Bloom Township · Board of Trustees

BLOOM TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING 2-11-26

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Jason Smith, Chair. Members present were Trustees Carol Moore, Brian Randles, and Jason Smith. Also present were Administrator Anne Cyphert, Fire Chief Thomas Williams and Fiscal Officer Nicole Jurgensmier. The pledge of allegiance was recited followed by a moment of silence in honor of our military serving around the world.

FISCAL OFFICE REPORT: Nicole Jurgensmier

• Motion by Randles, second by Moore to receive and file the minutes of the 1/28/26 meeting. Motion carried 3-0.
• Motion by Moore, second by Smith to approve payments in the amount of $67,017.69 and electronic payments in the amount of $78,912.61. Motion carried 3-0.

REPORTS FROM TRUSTEES

Jason Smith

• RPC Report: It was a 10-minute meeting. They discussed auxiliary dwelling units.
• Heidelberg Court: A resident continues to park vehicles in the road way and right of way. Smith desires to send a letter to the offender ordering the vehicle(s) to be removed. Motion by Randles, second by Moore to authorize sending a letter from the Board of Trustees and other personnel to the residents who are leaving vehicles in the road way and right of way. Letter to be sent to Cameron and Sheri Bell, 740 Heidelberg Court, Lancaster OH 43130. Motion carried 3-0.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: Anne Darling Cyphert

• Village of Lithopolis is requesting we split the costs with them for porta pots for the Memorial Day Event. Cyphert told Amanda Wolin from the Village to send price estimates, but so far, she has not received them. A person from Wagnalls asked Cyphert if the Township would play an active role this year and Cyphert told her they already play a very active role with the Memorial Day festivities. She advised the person that the Fire Department is having the open house and providing the chaplain at the cemetery that day, and the emcee for public address matters all fall under the Board of Trustees. The trustees are always proud to provide assistance to the day’s events.
• Update on Comprehensive Land Use Plan: Planning meeting with the Steering Committee was held on Monday. Consultants had a well-organized presentation and explained the process for a solid Comprehensive Land Use Plan. At the next meeting, the consultants will be proactive in leading discussions so that all participants have a chance to contribute to the discussion. Everyone needs equal time to let their voices be heard.
• Anne will meet with MORPC consultants on February 23rd to go over the next steps in the Land Use Plan.
• After the Comprehensive Land Use Plan is adopted, later this fall, she will be recommending some zoning amendments based on the Fairfield County Model Zoning Code. The Zoning Commission will review any recommendations.
• There will be a meeting with the new Road Department Supervisor and her regarding Rockmill-Wesley Chapel Cemetery discussing times of burials, associated fees, and

upkeep of the cemetery. Cyphert is the new contact for the funeral homes to communicate with when there is a burial and Cyphert will record the needed documentation for the burial. She will then relay those details to the Road Department who will prepare for the burial.

• The Health Department received a grant from the Alzheimer’s Association to promote brain health and bolster dementia resources for residents in Fairfield County.
• A Grant Funds application was sent to the Township. Applications were distributed to the Board of Trustees.
• Update on OTA Conference: Indigent Cremations and Burial Laws: She learned these will becoming more frequent in the near future and she understands the process our Township will need to go through when we have an indigent citizen. If no one claims the body, the Township will be required to pay for the cremation and burial.
• Ohio Department of Transportation - District 6 will host an open house on February 19th at 5pm, 45 E. Waterloo Street, Canal Winchester, to share information on a proposed full replacement of the two-lane State Route (SR) 674/Gender Road Bridge over Little Walnut Creek in Canal Winchester. This will affect people traveling to and from Bloom Township from the west side of the Village of Lithopolis. No word yet on when this project will commence.

FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Thomas Williams

• Motion by Moore, second by Randles to pay Stryker in the amount of $55,551.62 for new Lucas Devices already approved in 2025. Motion carried 3-0.
• Motion by Randles, second by Moore to pay Bob Boyd in the amount of $1,284.47 for new M551 mirror. Motion carried 3-0.
• He attended the OTA Conference about property taxes. If property taxes were eliminated, sales taxes could go up 20%. The meeting was contentious.

ROAD DEPARTMENT REPORT: Various Township Officials

• Anne: Report on Kyle Uhl’s visit to the Road Department: Uhl met with the Road Department personnel on Monday. He was very impressed with the quality of equipment we own. He is very eager to begin his position with us next week. We are still waiting for results of pre-employment screening.
• Salt is expected to be delivered soon. Trucks are back in service.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion by Moore, second by Smith: Under ORC 121.22: To Discuss Compensation. Motion carried. 3-0. Following the Executive Session, the Trustees reviewed the following motions that were previously approved in December 2025 and January 2026. Existing motion from 1-28-26 Meeting Minutes:

• Motion by Moore, second by Randles to approve the hiring of Kyle Uhl, at a pay rate of $33.50 per hour in addition to standard benefits package and policies afforded to non- fire employees, and allowance to transfer 4 weeks’ vacation from his previous state

employer, pending completion of all employment documentation and results from drug test, effective February 17, 2026. Motion carried 3-0. Existing motion from 12-15-25 Meeting Minutes:

• Motion by Moore, second by Smith to approve the hiring of William Noice as a part-time seasonal employee for snow and ice removal, not to exceed 29 hours per week, at a pay rate of $19 per hour pending completion of successful pre-employment requirements. Motion carried 3-0. After discussion, the Trustees approved the following motions:
• Motion by Moore, second by Randles to amend as follows the motion dated 1-28-26 for the hiring of Kyle Uhl as Road Supervisor.

1. Since Kyle Uhl’s previous employer states they cannot transfer accumulated vacation leave to Bloom Township, the trustees do hereby grant 4 weeks’ vacation leave for Uhl’s use at the beginning of his employment with Bloom Township effective 2/17/26.
2. Since it was agreed upon at the time of hiring Uhl, his vacation time will accumulate at a rate of 5 weeks per calendar year rather than the standard rate of 4 weeks per calendar year. The permissible vacation carry-forward to a new calendar year is the amount of vacation earned in the previous calendar year. Therefore, almost 4 weeks’ vacation must be either used or forfeited in the first calendar year of hire. Motion carried 3-0.

• Motion by Randles, second by Moore to change Road Worker Seasonal pay rate for CLD and Non-CDL to $21 per hour retroactive to January 1, 2026, not to exceed 29 hours per week. Motion carried 3-0. Following the Executive Session, the chair adjourned the meeting.