The Porter Township Trustees talked about strategies for raising funds for road and bridge projects, among other issues, during their regular meeting on Monday evening.

Jim Gill told the other trustees that he had consulted with Scioto County Auditor David Green about the amounts of funding that could potentially be raised with different changes to the existing tax levies.

Green told Gill that if they replaced their current two mil levy with a new levy, they could expect to generate an extra $217,000 per year. If they simply came forward with a new one mil levy, they could generate around $189,000 in extra revenue. If they choose to add a permissive sales tax onto automobile plates, they could expect to raise an extra $51,000 per year.

Gill noted that no decisions have been made to advance any levy changes to voters for approval, but that the numbers provided by Green should help the township make an informed choice.

In fire business, the trustees moved to approve Brad Kozee as a new probationary volunteer firefighter, contingent on his successful passing a physical and review of his driving record.

Trustees also approved two purchase orders to repair damage to a fire truck transfer case. This included a purchase order to Reinhardt’s, for $2,000, to be paid from the fire fund and a purchase order to Findlay Fire, for $8,000, for parts needed to complete repairs to the fire truck.

In road and bridge business, the trustees accepted a report from service and safety director Greg Warner noting that there has been a delay in employing an individual for maintenance, but they continued moving forward with plans to put someone in that role.

Warner also told the trustees that his department was researching some potential sealant formulas, including a microseal product, in lieu of asphalt resurfacing. Warner explained that the microseal was thinner than traditional asphalt mixes, allowing it to fill cracks and potholes more efficiently. However, despite the potential benefits, he was looking at how some other roads that had been treated with the product were holding up before making a proposal to the trustees.

In old business, the trustees approved payment of $497.64 to Delmas Conley Trucking for gravel used on the new pickleball courts. They also approved a purchase order to pay Spartan Lawncare $90 for mowing and lawn work around the welcome sign, to be paid from the general fund. The trustees also moved to award Spartan the contract for continued mowing, at a rate of $30 per mowing.

The trustees also discussed a property on Center Street, with a collapsed front porch, and potential plans to assure the location is cleaned up, as well as their medicount agreement.

They plan to review the agreement to make sure there is no change to the treatment that EMS provides under the agreement.

In new business, the Trustees moved to hire Scott Jenkins, at a rate of $11.50 per hour, to provide part-time maintenance and service at the park. Jenkins will be authorized to work up to 10 hours per week under the terms of the contract.

The trustees also approved a request from Southern Ohio Medical Center to hold a public meeting at the Wheelersburg Community Center from 5-9 p.m. on May 2. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss SOMC’s new urgent care center, including any impact it might have on other nearby businesses.

Finally, the trustees moved one step closer to completing their pickleball court project. The trustees moved to accept fencing quotes from Wright’s Fencing and Professional Fences, LLC. The trustees moved to accept Professional’s quote of $9600 for a 10-foot tall fence on three sides of the courts, with 12 feet of height on the pool side, where balls might be more likely to enter the pool area with a shorter fence.