The trustees have established a Land Use Committee to help in the development of a comprehensive land use plan for the township. This committee consists of nine township residents. Three of the members (Chris Jordan, 774-2010; Alan Haines, 647-5162; and John Forthofer, 775-2575) were appointed by the Zoning Board. Three members were appointed by the Zoning Appeals Board (Dewey Fulton, 647-5582; Bert Latran, 774-7625; William Mohler, 775-7181). And three members were appointed by the trustees (Fred McConnell, 647-3690; Terry Grills, 647-3270; and Jim McConnell, 775-3352).

    This committee will be meeting periodically over the next few months to discuss land use options and how to best deal with the development pressures that are affecting Pittsfield Township. The meetings are open to the public and meeting dates will be posted on the meeting message sign in the township park or meeting information can be obtained from any committee member.

    One of the first tasks will be to provide input to the citizen committees that are functioning as a part of the county wide development plan effort. These committees are concentrating on five general areas: Infrastructure,Transportation, Environmental Issues, Farmland Retention and Intergovernmental Relations. Additionally, a sixth com-mitteee, Growth Management Policies/Land Use Analysis, will meet to pull together the recommendations of the other five committees. Pittsfield township is represented on the Infrastructure committee by Bert Latran, the TranSportation committee by Ralph Kies and the Farmland Retention committee by Jim McConnell.

    While these county committees are developing their recommendations, the Pittsfield Land Use Committee will work to communicate township concerns and monitor the discussions within these committees. Once the county wide plan has been concluded and its recommendations are finalized, the township committee will evaluate the completed plan as it applies to Pittsfield township.

    The end goal for the township land use committree will be to recommend zoning changes and policies that will attempt to implement long range land use and development goals for the township.

    It is very important that any township resident that has concerns and ideas about long range development and land use policies make an attempt to communicate with members of the committee and attend the meetings if possible, tt is the desire of the trustees to have as much input as possible from residents so that the final plan will reflect the wishes of the township as a whole.

    Remember to watch the message board for meeting dates and times.
 
 

    The trustees recently enacted a policy to reimburse residents of township roads for damage to their mailboxes during snow plowing. The township will pay up to $50 towards the repair or replacement of a resident's mailbox if it was damaged as a result of snowplowing. Residents should notify a trustee of the damage and then submit a bill with receipts for the expenses after the repairs have been made.
 

    Last year, the trustees were successful in obtaining a Community Development Block Grant for improvements to the township hall. The grant is for $14,700 and will be used to make the restrooms handicap accessible and compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act. Additionally, improvements to the entrance/exit doors and the drinking fountains are necessary to comply with the ADA law.

    Larry Knoble ( a township resident) donated his expertise and skills to prepare the architectural drawings for the improvements. Bid specification sheets are presently being prepared by the Lorain County Community Development Department and the bid process should be completed within the next few weeks. The improvements need to be accomplished during the calendar year 1999 so it is probable that there will be some period of time when construction will create some inconvenience. Please be patient, the improvements should be well worth the bother.
 
 

    The trustees would like to remind residents to take advan-rage of the recycling programs available here in the township.

    As has been mentioned in previous newsletter articles, every resident is entitled to utilize the "blue bag" curbside recycling program. All that is required to recycle glass, plastic and metal cans is to have them rinsed out and placed in one of the blue recycling plastic garbage bags. The bags will be picked up from the side of the road each Monday.

    The expense of this program ($28.20 per household per year) is paid for by a grant from the Lorain County Solid Waste Management District.

    Newspapers can be recycled by placing them in the covered trailer that sits in the parking area next to the township garage. We sell these papers to the Oberlin Canteen for a penny per pound and last year sold 14.6 tons.

    There are some additional recycling opportunities available county wide coming up this spring. Magazines and glossy catalogues can be recycled on May 1st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Elyria at the Washington Avenue parking lot. Used tire recycling is scheduled for May 15th at the New Russia Town Hall complex. A maximum of eight tires per person is the limit.

    Hazardous household wastes can be recycled May 5th - 8th at LCCC and LCJVS. These items include acids & caustics, batteries, pool & cleaning chemicals, bleach, polish, paints, thinners, solvents, poisons, antifreeze, weed killers, and medications. These and other products are allowed. It might be a good idea to call ahead to check times and see for certain if they will receive the items you need to turn in. The LCSolid Waste Management District can b e reached through the county switchboard @ 329-5000.

    Recycling is a good idea and the township and LCSWMD have tried to make it as convenient as possible. Please do your part.
 
 

The township has three items for sale - two computer systems and a copier.

The copier is a Konica Royal model 1503 ZMR. It is a black and white copier with zoom capabilities and paper feed tray for both 8.5" X 11.5" and 8.5' x 14".

Each computer system is IBM compatible.

System 1:486 DX 66 process. 4 meg Ram, 420 meg hard drive 3.5" floppy drive 14" VGA monitor Mouse, Panasonic dot matrix printer.

System 2:486 SX25 process. 4 meg Ram, 85 meg hard drive 3.5" floppy drive Tape backup drive modem, 14" VGA monitor, Mouse, NEC Printer

    These items can be viewed at Center Service at the corner of St Rts 303 & 58 during regular business hours. Bids will be accepted through April 1st and can be submitted to Steve or Kathy Magyar at Center Service. Successful bidders will be notified following the April 5th trustee meeting.

    As you may or may not be aware, Pittsfield Township is a member of the Lorain County Rural Wastewater District (LORCO). This organization was formed by the actions of 13 townships and the villages of South Amherst, Kipton and Rochester. Additionally, the Lorain County Commissioners, the Lorain County General Health District and the Lorain Medina Rural Electric Co-op have voting representation to make the 19 member board.

    - To provide wastewater collection and treatment to townships and villages within Lorain County that are of a population which supports such a system.

    - To replace existing on site treatment that may be detrimental to the ecology of our natural waterways now and in the future.

    - To actively participate in the planning of logical development and growth areas for our future generations by promoting the best usage of the land.
 

    The stated mission of LORCO is "To logically and economically provide central waste-water collection and treatment to the unsewered areas of Lorain County that are not served by any other entity". The goals of LORCO as established by the board of directors are as follows:

    - To serve a need, through a non-profit organization governed by those it serves.
 

    LORCO is presently negotiating for a sewage treatment agreement with the North East Ohio Regional Sewer District. If an agreement can be reached, LORCO will be in position to proceed with their Phase I project which would install sewer lines in a significant portion of Carlisle and Eaton townships. This area presently has a significant population base as well as a large number of old, ineffective septic systems that need replacement.
 

    The Participation in LORCO by Pittsfield township does not represent a desire to have sewers in the township. What it does represent, is a desire to be involved in the decisions that are being made concerning sewers in the rural portions of Lorain County.

    New zoning books are being printed and contain the most recent revisions. Anyone interested should contact Zoning Inspector, Steve Magyar at 774-4338

Jim Sheflied, Cemetery Sexton, requests that all seasonal decorations be removed from gravesites in both cemeteries by April 15th to facilitate mowing and trimming.