As the newly appointed Public Works Director, I have not yet had the chance to formally introduce myself.  I would like to take this opportunity to do so.

I have lived in Brimfield for sixteen years and have two children that are currently attending Field Public Schools.  As an employee of Brimfield Township who has worked for the Road Department for seven years, I feel that this position is a great fit me, mainly because I know I can make a difference for the residents of Brimfield.  As a resident of the Township, I can certainly relate to a lot of the issues and concerns that are presented.  

Dave Rufner is our newest employee in the Road Department.  He has resided in Suffield for most of his life with his wife Becky and his three boys; two of which are graduates of Brimfield High School and the other is currently attending.  He has a strong construction background which was a key factor in hiring him for the Public Works Department.  Dave continues to do exceptional work every day for the residents of Brimfield Township and is a great asset to the Township.  We are lucky to have him!

We have completed a lot of projects in 2012 to include the following:

• Three roads chip and sealed
• Three roads resurfaced
• Concrete repair on two roads
• Howe Road, Brimfield Drive and Townsquare Drive were all chip and sealed by Portage County for us at a cost of about $26,000.00 (there was a sealer that contained an additive that keeps the stone adhered to the road surface better)
• Karg Parkway and Greenbriar Parkway were both resurfaced at a cost of about $81,000.00  which included repair to the road surface before resurfacing could begin
• Cline Road was the one and only OPWC project for 2012: The total cost of the project was $106,853.15 ($26,182.19 of which we were responsible) - the balance of the project was paid for with grant money through OPWC - this funding by the state of Ohio saves the Township a lot of money
• Morley Drive and Neville Drive received a total of $33,000.00 in concrete repair this fall
• Howe Road from State Route 43 to Sunnybrook Road was treated with an Asphalt Rejuvenator at a cost of $10,841.88 (according to statistics, this will increase the life of the road surface by years)

If you have any questions or concerns, including any of the projects I have listed, please feel free to call me direct.

Respectfully,

Jim Nethken

Public Works Director

330-541-3065

Public Works               

The Department of Public Works is located north of the center of town at 4484 Edson Road. At this facility and three bay salt bin and storage yard. This allows for storage and bulk purchases of road materials and salt for seasonal care of our Township roads.

Presently, 35 miles of roadways are maintained by Brimfield Township. With approved four residential developments in progress and at least two more within the next three to five years our mileage will increase considerably. The Portage County Engineers maintain twenty-three point eight (23.8) miles of road. ODOT is responsible for another five miles of state routes within the Township

The Department of Public Works employs four full-time road personnel. Services provided by the Department of Public Works include street repair, drive aprons and culvert replacement, ditch maintenance, storm sewer maintenance, seasonal roadside and park mowing and snow and ice removal.

In a normal winter, there is an average of 1,000 tons of road salt utilized. It is encouraged that residents not park vehicles on roads or pile snow in the roadway in order for snow and ice removal to be accomplished. Tree and shrub trimmings within the road right-of-way are performed for visibility of traffic regulatory signs. Stones, concrete or barriers placed within the road right-of-way may require removal for proper maintenance by the Public Works Department.The purpose of the Department of Public Works is provide and maintain safe travel on township roads. Currently, our major pavement renovations and total reconstruction for asphalt and concrete roads along with major storm sewer projects are funded through the Issue II projects. In 1990, the voters of the State of Ohio passed this Issue. The counties, cities and townships who want this funding apply every year. Since 1990 the Trustees and this department have worked together to acquire funding for a major project every The Township does have to participate in the cost of the project but the bulk of it is funded the need to ask the voters to pass a road levy.

The Department of Public Works is funded with a percentage of the motor vehicle, gasoline and permissive tax. To assure to the Township, residents should designate "Brimfield Township" (not Kent) as your taxing district when purchasing or renewing you automobile license plates.

Storm Water Management - The new regulations mandated by the Federal and Local EPA Divisions of the United States. Brimfield Township is under the newly mandated regulations. The guidelines for both commercial and residential properties must be followed by every land owner/user in the Township.

TThe newest addition to the Road Department Fleet is a  1994 Ford F Super Duty.  We acquired this truck from the Fire Department when they took  delivery of their new Fire Truck. With a few updates and a fresh coat of paint,  this truck is now in service.  The Super Duty is equipped to respond to service issues,  storm damage and will also be used for sign replacement.