The Clearwater Township Board Tuesday amended its mailbox policy to accommodate road construction projects.

 

The township currently charges $75 for the swing-away post, the post with the address sign and installation. Property owners are responsible for supplying and installing their mailbox on the post.

 

Supervisor Bill Langenbacher suggested setting a lower rate of $35 for replacing the posts during road reconstruction because it’s easier and more cost-effective to do them all at once.

 

Many properties within the scope of road reconstruction projects have old, damaged and poorly-installed posts at different heights, which makes it difficult for the mail carrier and for the maintenance department when clearing snow.

 

Supervisor Scott Miller felt the price wasn’t high enough to cover the township’s cost, especially including labor. He felt $50 would be more reasonable.

 

“We’re still losing money at $50,” he said. “I’m thinking $50 is a pretty good deal.”

 

Maintenance Supervisor Mike Ludenia said the goal is to get everyone to participate, so the lower the cost, the better.

 

“They can’t even go to Menards and do it by themselves for that price,” he said.

 

Township Clerk Jean Just said she would draft a letter to send to any properties within the road reconstruction areas.

 

The board is considering developing a driveway ordinance.  Langenbacher said other townships have one in place to clarify what can and can’t be done when putting in a new driveway. He said there are a number of issues that can occur when it’s done wrong.

 

“We have no rules. If someone wants to put in a driveway, they can put in a six-inch plastic corrugated pipe for a culvert,” he said. “It doesn’t work for us because in the winter time it will freeze and clog and then there’s water running over the driveway in the springtime. Then they call the us.”

 

He said if the township had an ordinance, that wouldn’t happen.

 

“That would clear up who’s responsible for what and it would specify conditions that have to be met before it can be put in in the first place,” he said.

 

He presented a draft ordinance for the other supervisors to review for the May meeting.

 

The township is also considering sending out quarterly newsletters.

 

Former township clerk Sharon Lee said she thinks some constituents aren’t aware of some of the things that are happening in the township. Or they get the information too late.

 

The township has been sending out newsletters annually or twice a year lately.

 

The board agreed to look into the cost of quarterly newsletters.

 

The board recommended approval to rezone some property owned by Jim Ergen along Co. Rd. 75 from agricultural to commercial. The request was made by John Grady for the land, approximately 24 acres, to be used for business storage.

 

The request will go to the county for final approval.  

 

The next monthly meeting is May 14 at 7:30 p.m.