(5/2025) April showers bring May flowers! It seems like Mother Nature has also given us our fair share of wind storms this past month. The Road Department has been trying to stay on top of preventing trees coming down on the roadways. We are looking at each road and identifying the dead trees that are in the 33-foot right-away of the township road and removing them. When trees come down on the roadway, we can clean them up, but when they come down on a vehicle with an occupant in them that can be an extremely dangerous and deadly scenario. Please work with the township road crew as we identify trees that we determine need to be taken down along your property line. When possible, notification of the tree cutting on your property will be given and the tree will be cut up and left on your property. If you have identified dead trees along your property that are within the right-away, please contact the township office.

Orchard Road is a priority this year to repair. I plan to recommend to the Board of Supervisors that we put a 2.5-inch overlay on Orchard Road, smooth the intersection out at State Route 16 and Orchard Road on the south bound side, stabilize the shoulder, widen the road by two feet, and then pave the road to Tract Road. Once the cost analysis is complete, we can move forward with the bidding process to get it on the schedule before the October 15 deadline for laying blacktop pavement on the roads.

Road maintenance will continue with inspections on cross-over pipes, cleaning out ditches that have been backfilled over the winter months, stabilizing drainage areas that have been identified, and completing shoulder work on multiple roads where the shoulders have eroded. Mowing season will begin in May. Please be patient and make sure the operator has acknowledged that you are behind them, and the roadway is clear before passing the mower. Last year on Gladhill Road, someone did not give courtesy to the operator, ran him off the road, causing him to hit a tree damaging the mower significantly, and putting the mower out of service for almost two months. Material things can be replaced, human life cannot. Please be mindful of the safety of our road crew, and remember they are working to make our township safe to travel through for all residents.

We are reviewing our zoning ordinances for accessory buildings and making suggestions for changes to some of the current ordinances to be less restrictive. There has been an increased interest in our township for short-term rentals such as Airbnb and VRBO. We are looking at addressing those areas in our ordinances. Be aware that you also need to check with the county about the implications of having a business on your property, especially if you are in the clean and green program. There are different regulations governing clean and green, agricultural versus residential and conservation. Seek guidance on laws and regulations under the zoning ordinance. If you are planning on building or making any changes to your property, please reach out to the township for guidance regarding permitting requirements. Some projects are eligible for waivers. We are trying to avoid residence from obtaining any zoning violation from the township or county. We are here to help and guide, please utilize us as a resource.

As warmer weather approaches, Chief DeWitt would like to remind everyone to watch for cyclists and motorcyclists. Share The Road. Do not deposit any debris onto the roadways, including grass clippings. This creates a hazardous environment for motorcycles. Aggressive Driving Enforcement Campaigns will run through the summer. Speeding and following too closely are a couple of the largest violated Aggressive Driving actions. Move over Laws need to be adhered to. You must go into the opposing lane (completely if safe to do so, if not then you must be twenty miles per hour below the posted speed when passing the emergency scene.

Recently we were made aware of the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Program for Fairfield residents, and we asked to be a part of this program. Neighbors Helping Neighbors provide red medical folders to organize all of your important healthcare documents. Emergency responders will look for this folder when responding to a medical emergency. The folder is magnetic and can be placed on your refrigerator. These folders are a great idea for anyone who has chronic medical needs and for the elderly. If you are interested in participating in this program, please contact the Liberty Township Office. These folders are free for Liberty Township residents.

Please remember on Memorial Day weekend to have fun but remain safe.