Greetings!

     As we write this, the Tanger Outlet Mall has announced it will hold grand opening events the weekend of June 24th. Trustee Bill Holtry has been invited to speak. Much of the "Opening Day" road work on I-71 and 36-37 should be complete by then, too.

     The mall has provided our community with an impetus which will spur other developers to look closely at building in and around the 36-37 exit. Your township administration and trustees are working hard to utilize every available economic tool to ensure the long-term financial health of our community. We are pursuing responsible, quality developments near the interchange with the goal of maintaining the rural characteristic everyone loves for the rest of Berkshire, away from I-71.

   Now, more than ever, we encourage you to get involved with your township and its' operations. Come to Trustee meetings. Join a committee. Help create a community we can continue to be proud of for the NEXT 210 years!

Respectfully,

Rod Myers, Bill Holtry and Mike Dattilo, Township Trustees

    Always, for the most up-to-the minute info, be sure to visit the TOWNSHIP NEWS page on our website.
*All the events listed on the Calendar of Events are held at the Berkshire Township Hall
1454 Rome Corners Road   Galena, OH 43021
unless otherwise noted


Thursday, June 2   7:00 p.m.    Zoning Board Meeting, open to the public

Monday, June 6  PHOTO CONTEST BEGINS

see details below

Monday, June 13   7:00 p.m.  Trustee Meeting, open to the public

Monday, June 27   7:00 p.m   Trustee Meeting, open to the public
  PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
JUNE 6 - JULY 31, 2016
Channel your inner artist - Unleash your creative self!
We'd like to add some artwork to the Township Hall and want to use your best photographs of Berkshire Township.
See your original photograph framed and hung in the Township Hall. We are looking for photos which depict the beauty of Berkshire Township. Up to a total of SIX winners will be selected and the winning pictures will be enlarged and framed, to enhance our Township Hall.
CONTEST RULES

There are two categories:  Adult Division (age 18 & over)   and   Youth Division (under 18)

The rules are the same for both divisions

  • This contest is open only to residents of Berkshire Township
  • All photos must be provided in hi-resolution digital files in a .jpg format
  • All photos must be taken in Berkshire Township, and depict scenes of nature, wildlife, architecture, or similar themes in our township
  • If a photo depicts a person or persons, artist releases must be provided for that photo to be included in the judging
  • If the photo was taken by a person under 18 years of age a parental consent must be provided
  • Berkshire Township reserves the right to use the submitted photos on its website and in other forms of advertising, if desired, with proper credit always being given to the photographer
  • There are no cash or monetary prizes associated with this contest.
  • Photos will be judged by a panel of Trustees, administrators and local arts professionals in a blind judging format
  • The photo must not already be licensed to or used by any other entity
  • The Township reserves the right to end this contest at any time and is not liable for any copyright infringements due to improper submissions

Submissions must be received by midnight, Sunday, July 31st. Results will be posted on this website in August, 2016, and winners will be notified by email or by mail.

Please email* your submissions to :   Berkshire.Shawna@gmail.com

*Files need to be sent as attachments, not embedded in the body of an email. Please include "PHOTO CONTEST" in the subject line of your email.
Republic Services Trash Update

As some of you may be aware, there have been difficulties on the provider's end with meeting the expected schedule for trash and recycling pickups. Also, for some existing customers, billing mistakes have occurred when their old account was not switched over to the new account on May 1. 

The township trustees and administrator have been aggressively pursuing solutions. We are aware of the issues and are working hard to see that they are resolved as quickly as possible. We do not take this lightly and want all residents to know that this decision was made to improve services and we see that being the case as we move forward. The additional amount of recycling that people have reported alone, makes us certain that this was a good move for the environment, too. Please be patient, and please continue to contact Republic directly if you have a problem. CONTACT REPUBLIC WASTE AT 800-601-1867

Also, please remember recycling is not weekly, it is every other Friday. See the PDF of the Republic Mailer below or on our website to see your schedule. AND, as stated in the mailer, holidays can affect your day by one day. 
If you build it, they will come
PARK MEETING UPDATE
Thanks to the many folks who took the time to attend the first planning/brainstorming meeting for a park on township land. It was enlightening to hear the numerous ideas exchanged. We can't say it enough - this will be a resident-driven project. Without your participation, it won't happen.
   The information gathered and a rough "master plan" were presented to the Trustees on May 23, and were well received.
   The next step is to explore soil testing, costs, etc. What we find will determine what happens after that.
   If we get the results hoped for, the next task will be to have someone qualified draw simple "to-scale" plans to get a better feel for the actual design.
  We are also meeting with the local soccer association to see if there might be an interest in some of the space for practice or game fields.
   Last but not least, we remind everyone: this will not be a speedy process. Each step might take longer than we like, but the fact that we have begun is a big plus. It can happen. More folks will join in. Residents generated energy and ideas and hopefully, we will all get to enjoy a new park in our community in the years to come.
   Please watch this website and the monthly newsletter for more information, and in the meantime, if you have neighbors or friends who want to be part of this, please have them contact us at Berkshire.Shawna@gmail.com
_________________________________________

With summer upon us the township and the county will be doing road work throughout the area. We will try to let you know about any projects as we become aware of them .  
OHIOCHECKBOOK.COM is coming to Berkshire Township

At the May 23 Trustee meeting, Chairman Rod Myers proposed to the Board that the township pursue implementation of the OhioCheckbook.com program. There was unanimous agreement and a representative from Ohio's Treasurer of State office is scheduled attend the next trustee meeting to present details. Stay tuned to this website for more information on this important resource for our residents.

   What is OhioCheckbook.com?
OhioCheckbook.com is a first-of-its-kind government transparency website that shows taxpayers exactly how their tax money is being spent. This initiative sets a new national standard for transparency in state and local government.
Berkshire Township, 1454 Rome Corners Rd. Galena,  OH  43021
|740-965-9397 |