Bond issue approved for public works building

Ross commissioners Monday approved an ordinance seeking up to $12 million in bonds.

Township manager Doug Sample said it was more likely the township would borrow approximately $10 million, which would be used to re-fund previous bond issues and build a new public works facility. Last month, commissioners awarded contracts totaling $7.2 million for the public works building and a salt storage building.

In other business, commissioners voted to apply for a

$35,000 grant from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for a master plan for Sangree Neighborhood Park.

“I’m really excited about it,” said Eloise Peet, director of parks and recreation. “This 9.6-acre parcel is the last remaining wooded, nice park land.”

Commissioners also voted to apply to the state Department of Transportation for traffic signal timing.

Mr. Sample said the state will bid the project in the summer, and the new timing should be operational by January or February 2016. The project will include electronic timers to move traffic better on the busy road.

“Once you get off a side street, it should be a straight run along McKnighrt Road,” he said.

Commissioner David Mikec was skeptical. “We’ll see how smart it is when you get to McKnight and Seibert,” he said.

Commissioners also awarded a $1.23 million contract to Shields Asphalt Paving Inc. for the annual road program.

Also, resident Lisa Herbert of Swan Acres asked for the township’s help either to lower the assessment of the neighborhood’s private park or find out what happened to the taxexempt status the park had since the 1950s.

Township solicitor Bonnie Brimmeier said she will look into what happened to the tax-exempt status.