Clay Township Trustees (L-R) Kevin Wrightsman and Dale Winner and trustee chairperson Angela Howell discuss plans to submit an application to the Ohio Public Works Commission for funds to be used to upgrade a section of Pleasant Plane Road.
Terry Baver | The Register-Herald
CLAY TOWNSHIP — The trustees in a special meeting took steps toward applying for state funding to help pay for improvements to a township road that is deteriorating due to flooding.
The trustees approved a resolution authorizing the township to prepare and submit an application to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission’s State Capital Improvement and/or Local Transportation Improvement programs and/or small government programs and to execute contracts as required.
Assisting the trustees with the applications is Mike Tackett, of Kramer and Associates, located in Eaton.
According to the Kramer and Associates website, the firm provides engineering, surveying and consulting services “for clients ranging from villages and cities to state agencies, and from individuals to large corporations.”
With the approval of the resolution, Kramer will submit the applications to the OPWC.
The trustees have used the firm’s services in the past to obtain funding for various township projects.
The trustees two years ago submitted a request, with the assistance of Kramer, for OPWC funds to upgrade a portion of Pleasant Plain Road, located between Brookville-Phillipsburg and Wellbaum roads without success.
The firm is working with the trustees once again in an attempt to obtain an OP WC grant to upgrade the mile section of the road that is subject to flooding whenever heavy rains cause the creek near the road to overflow.
Tackett indicated it was a good idea to apply for both OPWC programs to increase the chances of receiving funds.
Tackett said receiving approval for a LTIP program was higher because there is less competition for the funds.
According to the OPWC website, the LTIP program is limited to roads and bridges and only counties, cities, villages and townships may apply for these funds.
“The SCIP program is more like a federal program where you are competing with a larger group,” Tackett said.
According to the OPWC website, “eligible applicants are counties, cities, villages, townships, and water and sanitary districts. Eligible projects are for improvements to roads, bridges, culverts, water supply systems, wastewater systems, storm water collection systems, and solid waste disposal facilities.”
The estimated cost of the project is $753,970.
Reach Terry Baver at [email protected].
