Bloom Township · Board of Trustees

BLOOM TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEE MEETING 05/13/26

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 Fiscal Officer Nicole Jurgensmier, Administrator Anne Cyphert, Fire Chief Thomas Williams, and Road Department Supervisor Kyle Uhl. The pledge of allegiance was recited followed by a moment of silence in honor of our military serving around the world.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

• Jennifer and Jerry Yancey, 7280 Woodale Drive: Supports a moratorium on data centers. We have asked the Prosecutor's Office for guidance on this issue. There are no data centers proposed for Bloom Township, nor are there any re-zoning requests for them. Cyphert stated she has started to receive numerous emails from Woodale Drive residents who are alarmed about rumors circulating and she stressed the importance of providing factual information to the neighbors very soon. Cyphert added the following;

1. The data center possibly planned for Greenfield Township is likely being annexed into Lancaster. The area being considered has the topography that may be suitable for a data center, however, Bloom Township does not have that topography. Greenfield Township’s moratorium won’t apply to the proposed data center. It is not in Bloom Township and we have no jurisdiction in a different township or city. The annexation attempt is reportedly from Lancaster.
2. Our only area zoned for business in Bloom Township is not in any residential area, it is along State Route 33. For a data center corporation to consider building there, the Township would first have to hold two Public Hearings, in which the residents would be notified and encouraged to testify at the meeting. As of right now, our current zoning does not provide for data centers.
3. She encourages all residents to fact check what their neighbors are saying. There is already a lot of false information being spread and all that does is induce unnecessary fear. There will be NO data centers permitted in Bloom Township until and unless zoning is changed to allow them. The residents would definitely have a say before any data center is allowed in our Township.
4. Other Townships in Central Ohio have different zoning classifications in their communities that Bloom Township doesn’t have due to them having more business interests. Our Township is unique in that we are 98% agricultural and residential. The Board of Trustees has always been and will always be working in the best interests of our residents.

• Rebecca Swart of Royalton Road in Amanda Township asked questions about the data center issues.
• Jerry Yancey also inquired about how the snow plowing was done last winter. The Trustees explained the process of our plowing to him.

FISCAL OFFICE REPORT: Nicole Jurgensmier

• Motion by Randles, second by Moore to receive and file the minutes of the 4/22/26 meeting. Motion carried 3-0.
• Motion by Moore, second by Randles to approve payments in the amount of $36,687.34 and electronic payments in the amount of $168,371.64. Motion carried 3-0.

TRUSTEES RESOLUTION

 Motion by Randles, second by Moore Resolution #08-26: TO APPROVE THE CONTRACT BID AWARD FOR THE 2026 RESURFACING PROJECT. WHEREAS, the opening of sealed bids on May 11, 2026, for the 2026 Resurfacing Project, resulted in the following bids: The Shelly Company $487,804.36 Law General Contracting $542,759.42 WHEREAS, the Fairfield County Engineer is recommending that the Contract for the 2026 Resurfacing Project be awarded to The Shelly Company; Post Office Box 266; 88 Park Drive; Thornville, OH 43076, a responsive and responsible Bidder, for the amount of $487,804.36;

NOW THEREFORE

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF BLOOM TOWNSHIP

TRUSTEES, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD, STATE OF OHIO

SECTION 1

That this Board of Bloom Township Trustees resolves to, and does hereby, approve the Award to Bid in the amount of $487,804.36, to The Shelly Company for the 2026 Resurfacing Project.

SECTION 2

That the Fiscal Officer of this Board return a signed copy of this Resolution to the County Engineer for further processing. ROLL: Moore: Yes Randles: Yes Smith: Yes Resolution Passed 3-0.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: Anne Cyphert

• Fairfield County is among 32 Ohio counties receiving state funding to demolish unsafe buildings. The program aims to raze blighted commercial and residential structures to make way for new development. The Fairfield County Land Reutilization Corporation was awarded a grant for a project in Bloom Township at 8005 Benson Road. The Fairfield County Treasurer’s Office informed her the reason the house was chosen on Benson Road is because it has the highest amount of unpaid property taxes in the history of Fairfield County. The other project is in Thornville.
• Anne reported at our March meeting that the Village of Lithopolis is requesting we pay half of the porta pot invoice for the Memorial Day festivities. Our share is $1,697.50. Motion by Moore, second by Randles to approve payment in the amount of $1,697.50 to Tidy Tim’s, Inc., 6434 County Road 100, Mount Gilead, OH, 43338 for supplying public restrooms during the Fire Department Open House. Motion carried 3-0.
• Anne prepared a news release inviting the public to the Memorial Day Open House. The event is being organized by the Board of Trustees, Bloom Township Fire Department, Village of Lithopolis, and the American Legion. Wagnalls will be closed that day, but volunteers will have a plant sale and book sale.
• Illegal Dumping Clean-Up Grants now available.
• Update on Community Land Use Plan: May 18th is the Open House.
• Question / Discussion regarding green burials.
• Anne received an email from Brandy White, 7279 Woodale Drive that she forwarded to the Trustees. White had the wrong understanding a data center was planned for Bloom Township, which is not true. Anne explained to her no such project is being proposed for our Township. White is concerned about data centers, specifically: Water Safety and Aquifer Strain, Transparency and NDAs. The resident also requested a 12 month Moratorium on Data Centers. Anne reached out to RPC and the Prosecutor’s Office

regarding White’s concerns. Anne is hoping this rumor will be squelched before spreading too rapidly and falsely alarming the public.

FIRE DEPARTMENT CHIEF’S REPORT: Thomas Williams

• The Fairfield County Health Department appears to have approved the plans regarding the septic system concerns. The contractor will order the necessary parts and expects to begin work within the next 4 to 6 weeks.
• PUC Issues (Engine 552): It is back in service.
• RSU Discussion (Rescue Support Unit): It is on the oldest medic we own and carries boat pumps and special rescue equipment, if needed. The airbag system is not desirable. He recommends selling it “as is.”

ROAD DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR’S REPORT: Kyle Uhl

• Motion by Randles, second by Moore to approve road repair to Ashbrook Road from Canal Winchester in the amount of $1,635. Motion carried 3-0.
• Company Wrench quote vs road workers doing service on JCB Loader: After doing research, Uhl recommends doing the service work using OEM parts in house under terms of the warranty. This will save us over $900.
• CPR Training: All Bloom Township road workers went to CPR Training at the Fairfield County garage.
• Spray License: Uhl passed Category 5 Commercial and Industrial Vegetation.
• Uhl reported on the Bid Opening for Resurfacing at the Fairfield County Engineer’s Office.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

• Motion by Moore, second by Randles to enter into Executive Session under Ohio Revised Code 121.22 to discuss discipline of an employee. Motion carried 3-0.

OTHER

• Motion by Randles, second by Moore to ratify the disciplinary one (1) day unpaid suspension for Firefighter Lee Hayes recommended by Chief Williams and issued by Chief Williams on April 23, 2026 and served by Firefighter Hayes on May 5, 2026. Motion carried 3-0. The chair adjourned the meeting.