Perrysburg Twp. Preps for Eclipse

LIME CITY – Perrysburg Township is planning for the unexpected on April 8 when Northwest Ohio goes dark during the solar eclipse.

The influx of people in Northwest Ohio and the township likely will require overtime pay for the police department, said Trustee Joe Schaller at the Jan. 3 township meeting.

Trustee Bob Mack suggested police Chief Matt Gazarek start budgeting and to “expect the unexpected.”

Even if they don’t visit here, they’ll come to Toledo and the township will be expected to help, Gazarek agreed.

“It’s better to be prepared than not have anybody available,” he said.

Fire Chief Tom Brice said he planned to increase staffing that weekend as well.

April 8 is a Monday and the area of the total solar eclipse, which occurs when the moon appears to totally obscure the sun, covers all of Wood County.

Wood County EMA Director Jeff Kline told trustees in July that he expected the population of Wood County to double on that day, and possibly for the prior weekend. The county is nearly in the most optimal path, but with Interstates 75 and 80 crossing in the county, it is expected to put a strain on all of the infrastructure.

The temporary population surge is expected to affect businesses like gas stations, hotels, restaurants and grocery stores, Klein said.

He listed off other potential problem points beyond infrastructure like water and sewer, cell phones, traffic management, public works, law enforcement and health care services.

Schaller suggested rather than leave families at home, he’d rather have all hands on deck and have a cookout.

“Who knows what this thing is going to entail,” he said.

Fire Captain Paul Weist said getting employees together in one place wasn’t a bad idea, especially if something were to happen that required manpower.

Township Administrator Jon Eckel said he was working with surrounding emergency agencies and reserving barricades to have on hand.

Brice suggested sending a letter to all township residents to make sure they were aware of what was going to happen April 8.

He cited eclipses elsewhere where gas stations ran out of fuel and supermarkets ran out of food.

“Based on what happened previously, I think it would be important for our to make sure our residents are aware this is coming,” he said.

Eckel said he would not be opposed to the idea and will look into the cost of a bulk mailing.

Also at the meeting, trustees approved a resolution to purchase hardware, software and professional services from Flock Group Inc. for license plate readers at a cost of $66,900, which includes the two-year recurring cost of $30,000 and one-time professional service fee of $6,900.

“We’re ready to move forward,” Gazarek said.

“It’ll be a good thing,” said Trustee Gary Britten.

Gazarek had announced at previous meetings that he will collaborate with the police departments in Perrysburg and Rossford to choose locations beneficial to all.

He hoped to get 10-20 readers, which read license plates and note vehicle color and type as it passes under a camera.

The township will use drug fund money so there will be no cost to taxpayers, he said at a December trustee meeting.

Also at the meeting, trustees:

• Elected Britten as chair and Mack as vice chair.

• Approved a resolution to pay Ohio Excavating & Sewer Contractors Corp. $20,720 to replace the existing 34-foot by 24-inch conduit under Simmons Road at Deimling Road and all related asphalt removal and paving.

• Approved the purchase and installation of seven doors for the administration building at a cost of $16,064. Northwood Door LLC will do the work. Eckel will consult with the maintenance department to determine whether an option for galvanized doors at an additional cost of $150 per door is appropriate.

• Learned the fire department provided an engine with staff to Springfield Township on Jan. 6 so that department could attend the funeral of firefighter Sterling “Butch” Rahe, who died New Year’s Day.

“He was a friend to the Perrysburg Township Fire Department,” Brice said.

• Learned the township will update its zoning regulations in 2024 to include swimming pools, solar panels on roofs and construction crews working until after dark, Eckel said.

• Heard Duane Gibel report mud and dust was being created by a concrete business on Glenwood Road.

He’s been told by law enforcement that mud on the road isn’t criminal.

Gibel said he has seen businesses dump their spoils at the location.

Britten said as the area was not zoned, there wasn’t much they could do.

Trucks are tearing up the east side of Glenwood Road, Gibel said.

“We’re just letting this guy destroy our township,” said Schaller, who also operates a business on Glenwood Road.

Eckel will contact the township attorney to determine what, if anything, can be done.