Bloom Township · Board of Trustees · Meeting Minutes

BLOOM TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING MINUTES 09-23-26

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. Interested citizens also attended the meeting. The pledge of allegiance was recited followed by a moment of silence in honor of our military serving around the world.

PUBLIC COMMENT AND PRESENTATIONS

• Kristy Fox, Sitterley Road: Spoke in opposition to the Grid Growth powerline project.
• Tom Nutini, 8395 Heather Lake Dr: Also concerned about the Grid Growth project.
• Teresa Philbrick presented options for phone and internet service for the Administrative Office building and the Road Department building.

FISCAL OFFICE REPORT: Nicole Jurgensmier

• Motion by Randles, second by Moore to receive and file the minutes of the 9/11/26 meeting. Motion carried 3-0.
• Motion by Moore, second by Randles to approve payments in the amount of $7,037.18 and electronic payments in the amount of $152,012.82. Motion carried 3-0.
• Motion by Randles, second by Moore to purchase three new Xerox CX951TSE Color Multifunction copier / printers for a total cost of $19,072.77. One unit is for the Administrative Office ($6,357.59) and two units are for the Fire Department - Stations 551 and 552 ($12,715.18). These will be purchased from Xerox, our current vendor, to replace machines that reached EOS (end of service) in October 2024. Current service contracts expire next month (October 2026). Motion carried 3-0.
• Motion by Moore, second by Randles to transfer $4,858 from 1000-110-349-0000 Other-Communications, Printing and Advertising to 1000-760-740-0000 Machinery, Equipment and Furniture for the Administrative Office’s new copier / printer purchase. Motion carried 3-0.
• Motion by Randles, second by Moore to transfer $12,716 from 2111-220-323-0066 Repairs and Maintenance (Facilities) to 2111-760-740-0000 Machinery, Equipment and Furniture for Fire Stations 551 and 552’s new copier / printer purchase. Motion carried 3-0.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: Anne Darling Cyphert

• Grid Growth Issue: Motion by Moore, second by Randles

Resolution #16-26

A RESOLUTION OF THE BLOOM TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES STATING THE TOWNSHIP’S OPPOSITION TO SITING OF THE GRID GROWTH EAST 765-kV TRANSMISSION PROJECT IN BLOOM TOWNSHIP; AUTHORIZING THE TOWNSHIP TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OHIO POWER SITING BOARD PROCESS; DIRECTING NOTICE TO DEVELOPERS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

ROLL: Moore: Yes   Randles: Yes   Smith: Yes — Resolution Passed 3-0.

Anne spoke to Prescott Cary on Monday. He is the PR person for Grid Growth. He said the map that was released for possible location of high voltage lines and towers is not set in stone, but it is a study area. We will remind our residents again through the Savvy Citizen App to attend the Open House about the project on October 1, 4pm-7:30pm at the Crossroads Center, 2095 West Fair Ave. We will also place it on our website.

• Motion by Randles, second by Moore to accept the quote in the amount of $4,287.99 from FreedomLinx for the installation of equipment required to maintain secure internet, firewall and phone service for the Administrative Office and the Road Department. This is per HB 96. The funding split for the install is as follows: $3,103.99 for the Administrative Office and $1,184 for the Road Department. Going forward the monthly maintenance / support cost for the firewall and phone support will be $92 for the Administrative Office and $32.75 for the Road Department. The existing cost is currently being paid by the Fire Department (Station 552 and Station 551) for the actual internet connectivity. Motion carried 3-0. Special thanks to Teresa Philbrick for her hard work in obtaining this information and leading out in the project.
• Anne is exploring a grant opportunity for a backup camera for the Fire Department vehicles and Cemetery / Zoning vehicle. There is $50,000 available that would be split between the number of townships applying for the funds.
• Anne attended a webinar on Subdivision Standards: Navigating Township Zoning Authority. Stormwater issues were presented and the attorneys leading the webinar explained what legal authority townships have. The webinar reiterated that townships that are not limited home-rule, have no jurisdiction over drainage issues that do not involve our right-of-way. Utilize the County RPC to ensure drainage concerns are met before the proposed subdivisions are platted. Private roads in subdivisions can result in issues for the government, if the association doesn’t uphold the subdivision regulations. Best to avoid private roads. ORC 505.87 explains violations against subdivisions.
• The City of Lancaster and Greenfield Township are forming an NCA (New Community Authority). She urged the trustees to watch the Lancaster City Council’s 9/14 meeting on Youtube. She expects that to be a topic of discussion at our next meeting with a County Commissioner and the County Economic Development Department. She recommends that the Board of Trustees Chairperson and the Fiscal Officer be the two elected officials to work with the County on the potential agreements between Bloom Township and a Municipality. She also obtained a resolution from Greenfield Township regarding gas tax collections for local governments. She will distribute the draft soon to the Board.
• Once we receive our proposal for 2027 health insurance, she would like to discuss wellness plans we can offer to our employees.
• Discussion about the format for County Officials from the Commissioner’s Office and the Economic Development Department who will attend our next meeting.
• Anne was a speaker regarding our Land Use Plan at a Columbus Public Library Branch before a large audience of local government officials. Our Land Use Plan will be posted on our website early next week. She will be drafting a Resolution of Appreciation to MORPC and to Planning Next for their abundance of assistance in drafting our plan. This saved our Township up to $150,000. She will be available to help Etna Township, when needed. They contacted her about our Land Use Plan.

FIRE CHIEFS’ REPORT: Thomas Williams

• Motion by Moore, second by Randles to approve payment to Municipal Emergency Services (MES) in the amount of $3,353.10 for helmets, boots and fire gloves. Motion carried 3-0.
• Unless there is an objection, he will be trading his Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples Day Holiday for October 15th or 16th. No objections.

ROAD DEPARTMENT REPORT: Kyle Uhl

• Motion by Randles, second by Moore

Resolution #17-26

Authorizing the Chairperson of the Board of Bloom Township Trustees to prepare and submit an application to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement Program and to execute contracts as required.

ROLL: Moore: Yes   Randles: Yes   Smith: Yes — Resolution Passed 3-0.

• He is working with the Administrator in planning for winter snow removal. He has two seasonal worker candidates in mind, both with CDL’s. Once their paperwork is complete and pre-employment screenings, he will present a recommendation to hire them seasonally at the October 14th meeting.

SPECIAL NOTE: Lithopolis Mayor Eric Sandine was present to discuss Grid Growth. He reviewed the Village Resolution. Ideas were exchanged regarding concerns about the project.

The chair adjourned the meeting.