[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6259702,"mediaKeyId","3137950-151b21374bf6a80ca5662fc0dc46a27c","parentId",3137950,"title","Trustees approve personnel hires, purchases and contracts; roll-call votes unanimous","audioSeconds",515,"startMs",2384610,"endMs",2900523,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3137950-151b21374bf6a80ca5662fc0dc46a27c&start=2384&end=2900","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3137950-151b21374bf6a80ca5662fc0dc46a27c/thumbnail_2384610.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6259702/Ohio/Trustees-approve-personnel-hires-purchases-and-contracts-roll-call-votes-unanimous","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259702-24ca2319cbdc8b78a6eadf9033c00c21/orig.mp4?Expires=1775285326&Signature=jh2xDuB8EZAaEpXaKm4-djtGMWDvj2HgQat18GwSJXUG0GCFayxinReky1m9vLOEbrsmxhDUORphjgWx-dTLnqk5wZNwGkitZDj7nsDswUnJvhdw21ZlG7c9aCj1zhUl2~HuUZs2a7FrzkZfWJ35mRs~6G0ASHjYuT4MC6KLpBTgaFAtTqPjP1SJ6Xnfki91uRds8AKhQIgWDMOQwhEjkCNA56KABEGnqSk6JDtqozX~fhbxK~yu~q-PlBJ1zNs1smwXexHERwAi2H-NECWhkCEQ8nZdvbMi8hQSz-mjnlMoBShv-KP7du4F90QT9OSyZWRj7Aho~bfqRHEN2hdN0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-22T00:00:00Z","article","The West Chester Township Board of Trustees approved a set of administrative and purchasing items during the April 22 meeting, recorded by roll-call votes.

Chair calls and motions: Administrator Brown presented personnel and purchasing items and the board moved, seconded and approved the listed items by roll call. For each motion, Trustee Welch, Trustee Becker and Trustee Wong voted yes.

Key approvals included:
- Items 2–4: Acceptance of employee resignations received Jan. 1–March 31, 2025; hire of Joseph Engelbert as part-time firefighter EMT (effective 04/27/2025 at $21.70/hour); hire of Katrina Hayes as part-time assistant to the community services director (effective 04/13/2025 at $32.69/hour) with temporary overlap duties. (Motion approved, roll call: Welch/Becker/Wong — yes.)

- Approval of trustee meeting minutes from 04/08/2025 and approval of payment of bills for March through April 11, 2025. (Each motion approved, roll call: Welch/Becker/Wong — yes.)

- Items 7–16: Multiple requisitions and purchases including $15,615.55 to Loft Incorporated (office furniture), annual EMS bulk orders to Brown Tree Medical LLC ($60,300.60), Penn Care Inc. ($209,890.47), Teleflex LLC ($15,170), Stryker Sales LLC ($12,865.15), hotel accommodations for 10 officers for the National Police Memorial trip, a $300,320.68 Sinesis Construction Co. credit for the Crescentville Briar overlay (TIF-funded share), $174,061.80 to National Gunite for storm-pipe repair (shot-crete/sleeving work), replacement mower via cooperative purchasing ($14,576.50) and storm-pipe replacement on Bennington Drive ($12,803). (Motion approved, roll call: Welch/Becker/Wong — yes.)

- Item 17: Agreement with CTL Engineering Inc. for construction-materials testing for the Safety Services Center remodel, not to exceed $20,000, authorized with law director approval for non-substantive changes. (Motion approved, roll call: Welch/Becker/Wong — yes.)

- Item 18: Resolution 9-20-25 declaring surplus township items for disposal. (Motion approved, roll call: Welch/Becker/Wong — yes.)

Why it matters: approvals fund routine operations (EMS supplies, equipment), infrastructure repairs (storm-pipe repairs, paving overlay participation), staff hires and a materials-testing contract tied to a building remodel. Several purchases were paid from TIF or other designated funds as noted by staff.

Ending: All recorded roll-call votes on these items were unanimous in favor; no recorded dissent was entered on the floor.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","West Chester Board of Trustees Regular Meeting - April 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the April 22 meeting trustees approved consent agenda items including several hires, purchase orders for EMS supplies, stormwater and paving work, a contract for construction materials testing, and a resolution to declare surplus property; all recorded roll-call votes were unanimous (Yes).","taxTitle","West Chester Township, Butler County, Ohio","taxId",56887,"location","Ohio","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6259706,"Library official outlines 5-year replacement levy and Liberty branch opening timeline",257,1944325,2201875,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3137950-151b21374bf6a80ca5662fc0dc46a27c&start=1944&end=2201","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3137950-151b21374bf6a80ca5662fc0dc46a27c/thumbnail_1944325.jpg","/articles/6259706/Ohio/Library-official-outlines-5-year-replacement-levy-and-Liberty-branch-opening-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259706-c5e0fdad29969395a4669a747768e922/orig.mp4?Expires=1775285326&Signature=oEw-yK3i9igJalYfaEAAyUq25wxTMpDY8b2db2KnCTyEZStGwAq8aAqdng4Ihp6LyNxA-CBM~z4-1K7zGok66kDYEq8sbbBDHhGUVVEVTC9cjbEHl7HN2uksmyTPgxyfZ5HXNM2DvxVwmnO0ESQ-8pv1lAIHbzSQiHiJwM1UKlNVcsY4~KKUgPRAqJ1HDhlKDm4C0wyiwD5Qp~URKxO-562Hp9j43XiMbHof9c6zn8dE0FFjz7dGcEd0Iu3fSYHYP6k~wSyZ0eaX9DS-Gcvtmz61MefgMgH3Weu6bE96N8ZK8uUmrL6yC3-GBANs7YuOc~SR9kMZiPucx8cc4K5PpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A library representative identified as Travis briefed trustees on a proposed replacement levy and the timetable for a new Liberty branch.

Travis said the library will ask voters to approve a 5-year, $7.05 million replacement levy on the May ballot; it is intended to restore funding to 2010 levels and would begin in 2026 when the current levy expires. Travis said the measure would represent an increase “of less than $12 per 100,000 valuation” on tax bills, depending on state funding adjustments.

On service mix and funding: the library receives about half to two-thirds of its funding from the state; the levy would restore locally raised operating support that has declined in purchasing power since 2010. Travis said state funding changes from the biennial budget could affect the library’s final revenue picture and that the library has other small revenue sources such as copier fees and investment income but is primarily state‑ and levy‑funded.

On the Liberty branch: Travis said the Liberty location has partial occupancy; the parking lot completion (asphalt and striping) was delayed until warmer weather but staff were installing shelving and moving collections. Travis said a fundraising event for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library is planned for May 29 and a ribbon cutting is scheduled for June 1. The new branch is roughly twice the size of the Trenton location and about half the size of the township’s West Chester branch, with a single-floor layout and automated features designed to reduce operating costs.

Why it matters: the levy affects library operations and services across multiple jurisdictions because state-funded libraries allow reciprocal cards; a failed levy could force the library to reassess service levels depending on state budget outcomes.

Ending: Travis told trustees the levy timing was chosen to avoid overlap with the current levy and to provide funding continuity beginning in 2026; no formal board action on the levy took place at the April 22 meeting.","A library representative told trustees the library is asking voters to approve a 5-year replacement levy and provided an update on a new Liberty branch expected to open in June with partial occupancy already underway.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6259710,"West Chester Trustees move to pursue second round of Spark Grant for small-business exterior improvements",1846,11760,1857940,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3137950-151b21374bf6a80ca5662fc0dc46a27c&start=11&end=1857","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3137950-151b21374bf6a80ca5662fc0dc46a27c/thumbnail_11760.jpg","/articles/6259710/Ohio/West-Chester-Trustees-move-to-pursue-second-round-of-Spark-Grant-for-small-business-exterior-improvements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259710-8a038caf778ae8ad20102db1bfb3ea96/orig.mp4?Expires=1775285326&Signature=UlVkV1zxlu0at7O8UAGZfInaHGxIAVKK5zbUw4mlDLdcIAmgrVbFNgPfZQn65UpJRur7q1~0w~u6b-3BSTaCNmT1A9qqjpDxtNyC3ao0b~iImWwrfNTSCKcvvbmr9s~-XeEw3JE~ez-dFmlP8ftpBdVfjEV4PanwG8GS8yGxy74uNdJ37ckilaSF38MWpL4IfUmwJ7-RH-5ureSmeJpHDrQveGGjX5k3~rWc1v9CSoR0MU3Jf3A~bgweUevCq356XV0LPaQVGhRcn6gRH0sL3lU07CJp5uzLF~CrJMO4OBy8xqJD3uDSKjnZJL29pWZ-eCCW5whhvuYBOcoVbO0TYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Community Development Director Katie Cantalopoulos summarized the township’s 2023 Spark Grant pilot and asked trustees whether West Chester Township should launch a second round in 2025.

The pilot offered reimbursable grants of up to $10,000 for locally owned small businesses to make exterior improvements such as paint, signage, awnings, lighting, hardscape and outdoor seating. Cantalopoulos told the board the township funded 18 projects with $100,000 in township investment and that the projects leveraged more than $300,000 in total improvements.

“The grant was up to $10,000,” Cantalopoulos said. “It focused only on exterior property improvements. ... This was a reimbursable grant.”

Economic Development Manager Michelle Kohn told trustees she hears strong interest from business owners during ongoing business-retention visits. “The unpredictable business environment ... is really challenging for them, and they are putting off these construction programs,” Kohn said. “This program at this moment will allow them to move forward. It’s gonna keep our businesses looking good.”

Why it matters: trustees and staff said the program is intended to spur reinvestment in older commercial corridors that are harder to redevelop with large incentives such as TIF. Staff and trustees described the program as a relatively small, targeted investment meant to improve curb appeal, encourage a “ripple effect” of further private investment and support long-standing local businesses.

Staff recommended several changes to the program before a second round: tighten the definition of “small business” from 30 to 20 full-time employees, make nonprofits ineligible, revise the scoring matrix (removing total project cost as a scored category and adding years in West Chester and degree of local engagement), direct more points to targeted redevelopment areas, and add non‑township community members to the scoring committee. Cantalopoulos said property-owner written permission will continue to be required for tenants who do not own their storefronts.

Trustees and staff also discussed program safeguards and follow-up. Trustee Welch asked whether staff had followed up after the initial reimbursement checks; Cantalopoulos said the township verified projects were completed before reimbursement but had not conducted a second, later follow-up to see how the improvements have held up. Trustee Lee and others raised the possibility of requiring a multi-year business-continuity condition for grant recipients; Trustee Becker and staff said recovering funds from a closed business would be difficult and potentially costly.

Staff described the pilot’s geographic participation (noting concentration along the Route 42 and Cincinnati-Dayton Road corridors and Old West Chester) and invited trustees to identify any additional targeted areas for the scoring matrix.

Board direction: with the feedback at the meeting, trustees signaled they want staff to pursue a second round. Staff said they will prepare an appropriation for the board’s consideration next month, revise the scoring matrix per committee feedback and return to the board in May for formal approval.

The board did not take a final vote on the program at this meeting; the appropriation and any formal changes to eligibility and scoring will be considered at an upcoming meeting.

Ending: Staff offered to collect current photos of the 16 completed projects and to circulate the updated scoring matrix to trustees for review before the May presentation.","After a 2023 pilot that funded 18 exterior-improvement projects, township staff recommended refinements and trustees directed staff to prepare an appropriation and updated scoring matrix to bring a second round to the board for approval.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Trustees approve personnel hires, purchases and contracts; roll-call votes unanimous

Library official outlines 5-year replacement levy and Liberty branch opening timeline

West Chester Trustees move to pursue second round of Spark Grant for small-business exterior improvements