July 21, 2004

    Flooding problems were the talk of Sherwood Village Council's meeting on Wednesday. Several individuals voiced their concerns about flooding issues, including those on the north end of town around Ohio 18 and 127.

Vine Street resident Marcie Lively brought recent photographs of her home and flooding problems there. "I want to thank the fire department for getting there when they did," she said. "Here's some pictures of the basement, water across the road, the fire department pumping water out of the basement into the drain. The drain across the street is blocked."

Lively said this isn't the first time her basement has flooded. "A year ago we spent $13,000 out of our pocket (after flooding in the basement)," she said. "This year another $2,000. All I'm asking is to fix that drain. I like living in Sherwood. I love my house, but I can't afford this. I'm making a request. Please fix that drain across the street."

Jane Garvin, who lives on Ohio 18, also thanked the Sherwood Fire Department for its help when her home flooded. "I've had water the last time we had two such storms," she said, adding she had attended a Defiance County commissioners meeting to discuss flooding issues recently. "When the ditch in my front starts flooding, I know I'm going to have water in my basement," . she said. "I understand they gave you some sort of a Band-Aid that won't fix the problem, but will help us for a bit."

Mayor G. Clayton Miller said the county suggested partitioning the ditch that drains along Coy Road to alleviate the problem. "Everyone that drains into that will pay a portion of the amount (for the partition)," said Miller, adding the amount could be assessed on taxes and wouldn't be more than $100 a year. "So what we have to do is have them (Defiance county) partition the ditch, they'll get the money and put it on the taxes of those that live in that area."

Miller said Defiance county will do surveying and notify those affected by the partition. "Our main concern is to get it across the road faster than it can build up. As long as we don't get those 9-10 inches it won't be that bad," said Mayor Miller. He also stated the village would continue to work on the flooding issues.

Along those lines, the village is beginning to clean out catch basins. However, it was noted that some of the offset basins need to be replaced when funding is available.

Also at the meeting, council heard from village administrator Joan Raker about the need for the zoning board to have an updated zoning book. "This one we've got is from 1954. There are things that are antiquated and things that need to be put in there. We need something, because we're kind of blind when some things come up." Council has worked on updating the zoning book, however the updated version was never adopted properly, leaving them with the 1954 copy. Council agreed to give a copy of the revised zoning book to the village solicitor, Stephen Hubbard, to check, and then start the process of adopting it.

In other business, council:

     - heard from resident Loretta Wells about opening burning by a neighbor. "He's burning a little bit of everything," she said. Fire Chief Steve Fitzwater said the state only allows certain types of burning, and junk is not one of them. He suggested she call the fire department the next time it happens.

- passed a resolution accepting ownership of Sherwood Memorial Park from the Defiance County Metropolitan Park Board.

- was advised that Feb. 1 is the deadline to apply for Nature Works grant funding for improving the old Sherwood Memorial Park. There is approximately $65,000 available countywide.

 - heard the apartment numbers at the Sherwood Crossing Development will be numbered on Heritage Drive (with three digit numbers) and not numbered like those on Ohio 18 (with six digit numbers).

- was told the Regional Income Tax Agency soon will be mailing letters to individuals about the new village income tax.

- heard the storm sewer on Elm Street was expanded.

- heard the Sherwood Fire Department is seeking bids to purchase masks/ breathing apparatus, which will be funded with a $42,750 grant from the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement Act. The EMS also received a $6,000 grant from the state recently. (Read More)

- approved the hiring of Jeffery Whitman, William Reeves and John Adams as firefighters. Heather Balough was hired as an EMT.