Sharon Township discusses master plan, budget, new treasurer, and more
Sharon Township Hall
by Claire Pajka
The June 4th Sharon Township Board meeting was called to order at 7:10 pm on Zoom. The agenda was amended to include Brian Simons’ letter of resignation as treasurer, and to remove the update from the Watershed Council. In virtual attendance were all township board members, Megan Masson-Minock and Kathy Spiegel of the planning commission, as well as two members of the public.
Board Treasurer Brian Simons put in a letter of resignation for the role of treasurer. He assured the board that he was resigning not because he didn’t want to finish his term, but that the transition of treasurers falls in the middle of the fiscal year and that his resignation now would create a cleaner transition point. Simons’ letter of resignation was accepted by the board, and former deputy treasurer Brian Brickley was appointed as treasurer of Sharon Township, effective immediately.
In Peter Psarouthakis’ Supervisor report, he stated that the road commission is doing grading work on Walker Road and Sharon Hollow Road. He also stated that after contacting law enforcement, he was told there has been no activity that required police involvement during the month of May, though in the first few days of June there may have been some activity.
Newly resigned treasurer Simons provided the financial report and emphasized that summer taxes will go out July 1 and are due September 14th. He also stated that winter taxes will go out December 1st and are due February 14th of the following year. Simons is performing a final audit so that new Treasurer Brian Brickley, will start with a clean slate.
Zoning Administrator David Wilson stated that only one permit was given for the month: a pool permit on Jacob Road. The current sign ordinance of Sharon Township was commented on by Wilson and board members Psarouthakis and Guysky, with Psarouthakis explaining that the current sign ordinance was adopted when the Supreme Court called for an update to the sign ordinance. He wanted to emphasize the history of the update in response to a Sharon citizen claiming on social media that the sign ordinance was put in place by the board to prevent citizens of the township from expressing their first amendment rights.
In the report from the planning commission, Trudi Cooper stated that the draft of the master plan is completed. The board voted in favor of sharing the draft with neighboring communities.
There has been one bid for the cemetery project from Salenbien Trucking and Excavating Inc. Simons spoke in support of Salenbien, citing positive experiences working with them in the past. The board voted to approve the contractors.
A proposed budget was discussed but not approved. In coming weeks or months, the board will adjust the budget, post it to the Sharon Township website, and then let the public know when an in-person meeting will be held for public feedback. They plan on approving the budget after this process.
Megan Masson-Minock explained the Sharon Township master plan, which includes goals and objectives such as sustainability, green infrastructure, and farmland protection. The board voted in favor of releasing the drafted plan to adjacent communities such as Manchester and Freedom, and Masson-Minock urged Psarouthakis to release it to the general public. It has not yet been posted on the Sharon Township website.
Absentee ballot applications were also discussed by Clerk Kimberley Potocki, and it was decided that the board would not be sending out applications unsolicited; however, in hopes of minimizing health risks, the secretary of state has sent out applications. Potocki emphasized that if a citizen of Sharon Township would like an absentee ballot, they must request one in writing.
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