Bloom Township · Board of Trustees · Meeting Minutes

BLOOM TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEE MEETING 10-14-26

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

• Presentations of Resolutions to MORPC and Planning-Next: Motion by Moore, second by Randles to approve the Resolutions of Appreciation to MORPC and Planning Next for their assistance in approving grant funding to assist Bloom Township in developing a Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Motion carried 3-0.
• Public Comments from Citizens in Attendance: Numerous people attended due to the Grid Growth Project expressing concerns regarding environmental, health, nature, PTSD, loss of property, property values, and more.

1. Tom Nutini, 8595 Heather Lake Dr: Opposes Grid Growth
2. Donna Abram, 9550 Alspach: Opposes Grid Growth
3. Jean Glass, 8462 Coonpath: Opposes Grid Growth
4. Joe Morris, 391 Bluebird: Opposes Grid Growth
5. Krista Fox, 4525 Sitterley: Opposes Grid Growth
6. Don Drummond, 1859 Amanda Northern: Opposes Grid Growth
7. Dan Drake, 791 Hummingbird: Opposes Grid Growth
8. John Reese, 1384 Bluebird: Opposes Grid Growth
9. Bambi Roberts, 8339 Castlewood: Opposes Grid Growth
10. Sharon Kitsonas, 1933 Cedar Hill: Opposes Grid Growth
11. Phyllis Heister, 1084 Amanda Northern: Wants more information about Grid Growth
12. Lori Barton, 11567 Winter Road, Amanda Twp: Opposes Grid Growth
13. Lindsay Barton, 11567 Winter Road, Amanda Twp: Opposes Grid Growth
14. Maggie Mendoza, 7337 Marcy Road: Opposes Grid Growth
15. Merry Castle, 7300 Marcy Road: Opposes Grid Growth
16. Mary Lou Wells, 9696 Salem Church: Opposes Grid Growth
17. Valerie Hamilton, 1859 West Glenhurst: Opposes Grid Growth
18. Keith Hamilton, 1859 West Glenhurst: Opposes Grid Growth

• Jeff Fix, Fairfield County Commissioner, 210 E Main Street, Lancaster speaking about the County’s Land Use Plan. He brought numerous other county officials with him to our meeting. Fix asked an elderly audience member who spoke against him “What the hell did I do to piss you off?” He said the County Commission has not taken a position regarding Grid Growth. He said they are just now in the learning phase about Grid Growth. He said this is going to happen whether we want it to or not. He said the County Commission stood against solar fields. Many residents at our meeting asked him to stand with them on this project. He eventually said he would stand with them. Fix said this plan has been in the works for 5 years. Residents spoke against data centers. Fix introduced Rick Szabrak, Economic Development Director who is promoting economic development. Fix said he will present a plan tonight that will lower taxes. No clear plan was presented. A resident said she is against dense housing. He asked, “Even if it means lower taxes?” The resident said she would rather pay more taxes to keep Bloom Township rural. New Community Authority actions were discussed in relation to taxes. Fix said “Growth is not evil.” He asked if we planned to update our Zoning Resolution. The Administrator explained our process to him and said we depend on our residents’ voices, not the county elected officials’ voices. He introduced other county officials that were there to support him.

FISCAL OFFICE REPORT: Nicole Jurgensmier

• Motion by Randles, second by Moore to receive and file the minutes of the 9/23/26 and 10/09/26 meetings. Motion carried 3-0.
• Motion by Moore, second by Randles to approve payments in the amount of $29,043.65 and electronic payments in the amount of $150,193.39. Motion carried 3-0.
• Motion by Randles, second by Moore to Transfer $15,000 from 2031-760-740-0000 Machinery, Equipment & Furniture to 2031-330-221-0000 Medical / Hospitalization for Road health insurance / HRA exp. for Oct-Dec 2026 and to Transfer $30,000 from 2111-220-190-0000 Other-salaries to 2111-220-221-0000 Medical / Hospitalization for Fire health insurance / HRA exp. Oct-Dec 2026. Motion carried 3-0.

TRUSTEE REPORTS

• Carol Moore: Introduction of Resolutions she requested along with the Administrator from our legal counsel. Moore said with the recent increase in both Data Center Construction and the placement of Class VI Carbon Capture Injection Wells in Ohio, we feel it necessary for the protection of Bloom Township to adopt the following resolutions in order to give our Township a year to evaluate any zoning revisions needed relating to these issues. Complete copies of the resolutions are on file in the Fiscal Office.

Motion by Moore, second by Randles

Resolution #18-26

A RESOLUTION DECLARING A MORATORIUM ON THE ACCEPTANCE, REVIEW, OR APPROVAL OF APPLICATIONS RELATED TO THE CONSTRUCTION OR ESTABLISHMENT OF CARBON CAPTURE CLASS VI INJECTION WELLS WITHIN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF BLOOM TOWNSHIP, FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.

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

Motion by Randles, second by Moore

Resolution #19-26

A RESOLUTION DECLARING A MORATORIUM ON THE ACCEPTANCE, REVIEW, OR APPROVAL OF APPLICATIONS RELATED TO THE CONSTRUCTION OR ESTABLISHMENT OF DATA CENTERS WITHIN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF BLOOM TOWNSHIP, FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.

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

• Jason Smith: RPC and OPWC Report: RPC is having a hearing on language updates that will give Townships less voices in approving lot splits and subdivisions. OPWC documents have been signed.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: Anne Darling Cyphert

• Meeting with Regional Manager for Jackson Lake Park: Dave Wayman is retiring at the end of the year. There might be installation of more camping spots, but since they are a non-conforming property, they will be able to do it, as long as they don’t expand the property.
• “Road-eo!” at the Fairfield Engineer’s Office on Oct 23rd, 7am. Please RSVP by Thursday, October 15th.
• Update on Grid Growth Communications: She has transferred the files of opposition to our legal counsel who will take charge of the filings before the appropriate bodies.

FIRE CHIEFS’ REPORT: Thomas Williams

• Motion by Moore, second by Randles to pay Municipal Emergency Services (MES) in the amount of $7,020.00 for Part-time PPE. Motion carried 3-0.
• Motion by Randles, second by Moore to pay Stryker in the amount of $6,888.40 for annual maintenance agreement for equipment - Lifepaks & AEDs. Motion carried 3-0.
• Motion by Moore, second by Randles to hire Dominic Dellapina as a part-time Firefighter/EMT-B upon completion of successful pre-employment requirements. Motion carried 3-0.
• Since FMC has changed so many options in terms of employee physicals, we are looking for an on-site vendor for next year’s CBA physicals.
• He has Grid Growth concerns regarding fire department liabilities they could incur if this project goes through.

ROAD DEPARTMENT REPORT: Kyle Uhl

• Motion by Randles, second by Moore to approve the hiring of Kevin Cotterman as seasonal road worker for 2026 and 2027, pending successful completion of all pre-employment qualifications effective October 15, 2026 at the rate of pay established for part-time Road Department Seasonal Drivers with CDLs. Motion carried 3-0.
• Purple Wave Auction: Auction has been completed. Trustees congratulated Uhl on his successful auction bringing in $32,030.00 to the Road Department budget.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion by Moore, second by Randles to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing staff benefits / compensation. Motion carried 3-0.

After the Executive Session, the chair adjourned the meeting.