Norwich Township to pay half the Truman Boulevard fence costs after Hilliard bid award

The City of Hilliard completed the bidding process for a fence and landscape work along Truman Boulevard; bids were awarded to Rock Fork Company for a tan solid fence with a total contract price of $176,508.77. At a November 14, 2005 meeting Mayor Schondhart presented the tabulation and construction schedule; materials were ordered and a late‑November/December installation window was discussed.

Trustees voted to share in the construction cost. The motion to pay half the construction cost passed on a 2–1 vote (Trustees Charles Buck and Durland Workman voted Aye; Chairman Jim Rice voted Nay). Trustees clarified that the City will handle maintenance of the fence going forward and that the township’s contribution is a one‑time construction cost share; the township will not assume ongoing maintenance responsibility.

Trustees recorded disagreement during debate: Chairman Rice voiced opposition to using township tax dollars for a city‑led infrastructure project that does not deliver tax revenue to the township, while other trustees emphasized the project’s neighborhood and infrastructure benefits, noting that much of Hilliard sits inside Norwich Township boundaries. The mayor said the city would attempt to erect a material/color sample along properties so abutting residents can view the look prior to installation.

The trustees also noted administrative follow‑ups: the city solicited homeowners’ signed “right to enter” authorizations to permit installation on private property where required; the township asked the city to continue homeowner outreach and agreed to schedule final payment details after receiving invoicing.