Mantua Twp. – At their last meeting, Financial Officer Susan Skrovan informed the administrators of the receipt of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Township and the Solid Waste Management of Portage County. When the trustees signed that evening, the township agreed to a six-month extension of the contract, which provides for service until December 31 of that year. Board Chairman John Festa stressed the need for the group to review the situation in the fall to determine how best to proceed with solid waste and recycling in the coming year.

In other correspondence, Skrovan noted receipt of state documents requesting an amendment to the liquor license held by Mantua Corners Bar & Grill, LLC. It was noted that the current owner wishes to change the name on the document to Corner Catering & Event Center, which the administrators approved. In a housekeeping issue, Skrovan asked administrators to consider implementing an electronic purchase requisition form and process. She noted that having requisitions would verify invoices and deliveries and simplify the purchasing process for the finance officer and for future audits, and the Trustees approved this measure.

In other news, Skrovan noted his disappointment that concrete planters that had been planted and placed near the town hall before Memorial Day were stolen two weeks later. The trustees advised him to complete a police report on the incident and provide the estimated value, which was noted between $ 75 and $ 100.

In his report, Zoning Inspector Rich Gano noted the issuance of 13 new housing permits during the first half of 2021. Administrator Jason Carlton commented on the number, noting that he did not recall one full year in which so many permits were issued. In similar news, Administrator Carlton requested that the zoning commission work with Gano to review the fees, which Carlton noted has not been done for four or five years.

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In the Service Department news, administrators asked road service supervisor Brian Tayerle to request quotes for the ditching on both sides of Auburn Road north of Mantoua Center Road. Administrator Carlton noted that the soil removed from the ditches can be used at the Township’s West Lawn Cemetery. In similar news, he noted that the chip and seal offerings will be opened at the next directors meeting.

In other news, Administrator Carlton noted that hard copies of township records were returned by the company who scanned them for inclusion on the township website, and that a search tool was created. . He noted that the township is making efforts to implement the tool on the website, to provide residents with the ability to “search township records from their couch.”

Moving forward, Mark Hall, on behalf of the Mantua Historical Society, inquired about the status of the official proposal that the group presented to the directors in which the group presented plans to renovate a hall. in the Township’s Center school building. He noted the auditors’ recommendation that township tax records be kept in a secure area owned by the township, and noted that the township school offices would be the ideal location. Further discussion determined what repairs and upgrades are needed for the historic building and what funding is required. To that end, administrator Matt Benner noted setting up a “field trip” with an engineering company. At that time, professionals were roaming the building to assess the repairs needed to make the building suitable for township use. Benner issued an invitation for interested residents to attend this visit.

Discussions ensued on the use of federal funds received under the CARES Act and how the township could best use the funds received from the most recent federal funding initiative. Resident Teri Nielsen suggests setting aside $ 10,000 from the township portion of the US bailout to make grants available to local businesses that can show they have suffered financial losses due to Covid-19.

The next meeting of the trustees will be held at the Civic Center at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 15; residents are welcome to attend.

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