MILLBURY – For more than 30 years, a 1.4-mill police levy has languished on the back
burner in Lake Township, still bringing in money, but less and less each year.

The trustees hope to change that by replacing it on Nov. 6 during the general
election.
The current levy brings in approximately $115,000 annually, said Police Chief Mark
Hummer after Tuesday’s trustees’ meeting. If replaced, it would generate
$220,371 a year.
"It’s very, very old and this will bring it into current valuation mode,"
said Trustee Chairwoman Melanie Bowen.
The money could be used for a variety of things, including equipment, buildings and
communications, but Hummer said if it’s approved he’d like to dedicate it to
personnel.
Over the last three years, three full-time officers have left – one a resignation and
two retirements – and they have not been replaced. Also during that time, costs,
such as health care and fuel, have increased.
"Our costs are up, our income is down," Hummer said.
The department has 13 full-time officers, including Hummer, who is also the trustees’
administrative assistant, and seven part-time. It operates on a $1.4-million
annual budget.
The last police levy passed was a 2.9 continuing in 2007. It raises $500,000 annually
and costs the owner of a $100,000 home $89 a year.
Before that, the township hadn’t had any new police money since 1989. In November
2002 two old levies were replaced with a 4-mill continuing levy.
The trustees also tried a 3.75-mill continuing levy in May 2002, which would have
generated $573,000 at the time. It failed by 65 percent.
Also at the meeting, the trustees:
• Accepted the resignation of Assistant Chief Clarence Wilburn from the fire
department.
• Approved a zoning change for 7.2 acres at 30555 Lemoyne Road, Walbridge, from
residential 2 to business 3 on the condition that a survey is done. The request
is being made by McIlvaine Inc. for the new owner of the site, Miller Pipeline,
which has a contract with Columbia Gas and plans to operate a storage facility
at the site. Two neighboring property owners in attendance said they just want
to be sure the property boundaries are clearly defined. They added that they
approve of the site and believe the new owner will improve the look of the
property. The zoning change had already been approved by the Wood County
Planning and Lake Township Zoning commissions.
• Changed the date of the next meeting to Aug. 8 at 5:30 p.m. due to voting on Aug. 7
in the township hall.
• Heard monthly department reports for June: Police made 20 arrests, issued 56
citations and handled calls from the township, 307; Millbury, five; Walbridge,
129, and Rossford, 397. Medic 50 EMS had 113 calls and the fire department had
109. The cemetery had 15 burials.
• Went into executive session to discuss personnel issues. No action was taken.