Tate Township, Ohio
Clermont/Brown Solar Panel Farm Moving Forward
A representative from the energy company behind the solar panel farm came to the trustee meeting on Feb. 11, 2020, to talk to the trustees and answer any questions.
The project that encompasses 610 acres equally situated in Clermont and Brown counties had encountered a temporary setback in October 2019 when their plan was sent back from the approval board for more details. The energy company has since resubmitted and expects approval out of Columbus in March 2020. Once they get the go-ahead, the process will still take a couple years to complete.
He promised the trustees that they are not allowed to sell energy outside a regulated multi-state area and the corporation that buys the energy from the panels will be released after the negotiations are finalized. His main concern for the visit was to ask for the trustee’s support with a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes). Because the tax revenue from the 610 acres will be lost to future development, the energy company will guarantee $9000 per megawatt goes to the counties to be dispersed back to the townships, which is the same as real estate tax distribution. The advantage of the PILOT is it would benefit the schools and emergency services without putting an additional burden on them. The PILOT would be good for the life of the solar panel project. The expected life of these panels would be 20-25 years. The trustees said they would consult with the lawyer before supporting or opposing the PILOT.
The company is very aware of all the wetlands and the number of protected species in the area. When asked about the maintenance of township roads Leonard and Vandament, he assured everyone that the ultimate responsibility to repair any damage goes back to the energy company and the construction company will be making sure that repairs are made.
If you have any questions that were not addressed here, you may contact any of the trustees and they will find the answer for you.
Legal Notice: Zoning Appeals Meeting
Tate Township
Notice of Zoning Appeals Meeting
Notice is hereby given that the Tate Township Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a public hearing on Case 1408GE submitted by Kevin McKee 3669 Virginia Trail Bethel, Ohio 45106 The hearing is for a Variance request to allow a garage to be in the front yard.
The hearing will be held on February 17, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the Tate Township Zoning Office at 146 N. East St. . Bethel, Ohio 45106 Across the street from the firehouse.
Submitted by: George Eckert, Zoning Inspector, 146 N. East St., Bethel, OH 45106
End of Year Department Reports-2019
The year-end reports are available to view online for the Bethel-Tate Fire Department and the Roads & Cemetery Maintenance on the Tate Township Year-End Reports page.
The next trustees meeting is Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at 7:00pm. The public is always invited to attend.
December 2019 Meeting Minutes Posted
The December minutes from 12/10/2019 have been approved and are now posted on the Meeting Minutes page.
Legal Notice – Special Meeting
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a special meeting of the Tate Township Trustees will be held on Monday, January 20,2020 at 8:30 am, meeting at the site of the Township Maintenance Building, 2655 Spring Street. The topic to be discussed is water drainage and a retaining wall.
January is National Radon Action Month
Radon is colorless, odorless, and present in about 50% of the homes in Ohio. It can migrate into any home through cracks and openings in the foundation.
“Long-term exposure to high levels of radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer overall and the top cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers,” said ODH Director Amy Acton, MD, MPH. “Running this easy, inexpensive test is an important first step in protecting your family from a devastating disease that kills thousands of Ohioans each year.”
How do I get a test kit?
- The ODH (Ohio Department of Health) offers free test kits to Ohio homeowners with household incomes less than $80,500. Free Radon Test Kit Offer
- Order a test kit for $10.95 with the Ohio discount and this includes the analysis. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the discounted products.
- Have your home evaluated by an ODH licensed radon tester.
For the complete article from the Ohio EPA, click here.
Spring Litter Clean-Up Logo Design Contest
BATAVIA, OH — All local K-12 students are invited once again to participate in the annual Spring Litter Clean-Up (SLC) Logo Design Contest. The contest is sponsored locally by the Duke Energy Foundation, the Clermont County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and the Southern Ohio Association of Realtors (SOAR) to promote the SLC event and encourage student civic engagement.
The student with the winning design will receive a $100 cash prize, with an additional $100 going to their school’s art department. There will also be 13 grade level awards given at $25 each. This year’s winning design will be printed on a stainless steel water bottle, a promotional gift each volunteer will receive for their participation. Any student attending a school located in Clermont County, or within the East Fork Little Miami River watershed, may register to compete. Students should register and review the rules on the event website: http://www.springlittercleanup.com. Designs must be submitted by Friday, March 6.
The Spring Litter Clean-Up will be held 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, May 16, in various communities across the county and watershed. The SLC event is coordinated each year by the Clermont SWCD and Valley View Foundation.
For the complete article go to Clermont County Ohio Government
Ohio Safe Room Rebate Program Accepting Applications
The Ohio Emergency Management Agency has announced the Ohio Safe Room Rebate Program is once again accepting applications. The Program provides a rebate to Ohio Homeowners for the purchase and installation of tornado safe rooms.
Homeowners that are selected for the program are eligible for a rebate of 75% of the cost to purchase, install and/or construct a safe room up to a maximum of $4,875.00. Safe rooms are defined as any above or below ground shelter that meets or exceed the requirements outlined in FEMA Publication 320 and/or 361. For additional information on safe rooms, visit: https://www.fema.gov/residential-safe-rooms.
Homeowners have until April 6, 2020 to apply for the Safe Room Rebate Program. To apply go to: https://ema.ohio.gov/ema_saferoom/saferoom-concept.aspx
Ohio’s Historic Family Farms Program
Ohio’s Historic Family Farms is a voluntary program administered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. ODA has recognized families who have owned their farms for at least 100 years since 1993.
See the attached list of historic family farms recognized in 2019. A complete list of Ohio’s bicentennial, sesquicentennial and century farms is available at: https://agri.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/oda/divisions/markets/resources/historic-family-farms-search
Ohioans who can verify that a currently owned farm has remained in their family for at least 100 years may register for a historic family farm designation. For more information, visit https://agri.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/oda/divisions/markets/ohio-historic-family-farms/, or contact Erin Dillon by phone or email at 614-752-4505 or Erin.Dillon@agri.ohio.gov.
Emerald Ash Borer Program Report
December 31, 2019
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) works with State, Federal, and other partners to detect and manage known emerald ash borer (EAB) infestations. The EAB program uses biological control and ongoing research to minimize the impact from an infestation and maintain ash as a viable part of the American landscape. This report provides the most current information on EAB program efforts.
Announcements
Proposed Rule
In September 2018, APHIS published a proposal to remove the domestic quarantine regulations for emerald ash borer requesting comments from the public on the proposal. When the final rule is ready, it will be published in the Federal Register.
New Video
Watch the new 5 minute video featuring recommendations on how to debark ash tree logs to look for EAB larvae or other signs of infestation.
EAB in the United States
EAB is in 35 states and the District of Columbia: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Biological Control
USDA is using natural enemies of the emerald ash borer to serve as biocontrol agents—the tiny stingless wasps are showing promise in a number of states, especially in terms of protecting young saplings.
During the 2019 season, wasps were released in 3 new states (ME, NE, & RI) and 74 new counties. In total, biological control agents have been released in 309 counties and in 29 states and the District of Columbia.
Trapping
The EAB program discontinued the contracted survey for 2019, but APHIS provided traps and lures to states to conduct their own survey; almost 4,000 purple prism and green funnel traps and more than 5,000 hexenol lures were provided. For 2020, traps, lures, and accessories can be requested through your State Plant Regulatory Official or ordered through the APHIS Integrated Plant Health Information System (IPHIS). If you are an APHIS cooperator, please submit your survey data weekly into IPHIS.
Latest Maps
Federal Quarantine Map as of December 2, 2019
Ash Range Map with Federal Quarantine as of December 2, 2019
New County Detection Map as of December 2, 2019
Initial County EAB Detection Map as of December 2, 2019
Additional Resources
Informational Websites
EAB Website (Michigan State University)
Outreach Materials
Contacts
Acting EAB National Policy Manager (through 1/17/20)
Kathryn Bronsky, 301-851-2147
Kathryn.E.Bronsky@usda.gov
EAB National Policy Manager (beginning 1/18/20)
Herb Bolton, 301-851-3594
Herbert.Bolton@usda.gov
EAB National Operations Manager
Russ Bulluck, 919-855-7182
Russ.Bulluck@usda.gov
If you think you’ve found EAB or signs of infestation, record the area where the specimen was found and take digital pictures of the insect and tree damage. Submit your report to your State Plant Health Director or emailReport.EAB@usda.gov or call the EAB hotline at 1-866-322-4512. Thank you.
