Clay trustees hear plea for weed control
Brookville Star
2019-08-28
Kay Dawson
Contributing Writer
CLAY TOWNSHIP - Phyllis Kennedy, Nancy Oskey and David Bruce asked the Clay Township trustees and zoning officer to do something about a neighbor who has not cut his weeds at all this year.
At the Aug. 19 meeting of the board of trustees, Kennedy said the neighbor, whose property on St. Rt. 49 near the corner of Landis Road extends behind the trio’s properties on Landis Road, told the board that the owner has not mowed all year bu merely runs trucks around the property to wear down the weeds, which include Queen Anne’s Lace and “that large purple one.”
Kennedy, who said she had already spoken to Zoning Complian Officer Ben Marcum, complained, “You can’t go outside if you have allergies as I do,” and said she understood the law to say noxious weeds must be mowed twice a year.
The Ohio State University Extension Service defines “noxious weeks” as “plants that can injure humans, ecosystems and agricultural crops and livestock due to their invasiveness, toxicity and other harmful characteristics.” Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota L., also known as wild carrots) was removed from the list of noxious weeds last year.
Kennedy also complained the weeds attracted bugs and coyotes.
Police Chief John Van Gundy said he and Marcum had contacted the Clay Township attorney in the County Prosecutor’s office.
“Nothing can be done. Anytime a farmer wants to go back to a natural habitat, according to the prosecutor, they have that right. As a matter of fact, there’s a lot of farmers that will do it for a year or two just so they can provide the nutrients for the ground.”
Trustee Dave Vore suggested the three residents, Marcum and Van Gundy could set up a conference call with the attorney to “walk it through” and see if a solution could be reached.
Kennedy also said neighbors had been burning rubber and insulation and asked why the township wouldn’t issue a reminder of prohibited items. Marcum said the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency would have to cit the people in that case.
Vore pointed out, “We don’t have the capability to put every law out to our residents. If I want to burn something, I look it up.”
Bruce also said his neighbor’s grass on Landis Road kept the water from draining from his yard. Keith Luckey, filling in for Road Superintendent Chris Maleski, said the road department would look into that matter.
The trustees also approved a liquor license to S & G Stores, the new management for the former Sunoco store at St. Rt. 49 and National Road.
Trustee President Steve Woolf reminded the public that those who missed dropping off outdated or unused medicines at Keep Clay Clean on Aug. 24 could drop them off at the township building.
Because of the Labor Day holiday, the next board of trustees meeting will be at 5PM on Tuesday, September 3, at the township building, 8207 Arlington Rd.
At the Aug. 19 meeting of the board of trustees, Kennedy said the neighbor, whose property on St. Rt. 49 near the corner of Landis Road extends behind the trio’s properties on Landis Road, told the board that the owner has not mowed all year bu merely runs trucks around the property to wear down the weeds, which include Queen Anne’s Lace and “that large purple one.”
Kennedy, who said she had already spoken to Zoning Complian Officer Ben Marcum, complained, “You can’t go outside if you have allergies as I do,” and said she understood the law to say noxious weeds must be mowed twice a year.
The Ohio State University Extension Service defines “noxious weeks” as “plants that can injure humans, ecosystems and agricultural crops and livestock due to their invasiveness, toxicity and other harmful characteristics.” Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota L., also known as wild carrots) was removed from the list of noxious weeds last year.
Kennedy also complained the weeds attracted bugs and coyotes.
Police Chief John Van Gundy said he and Marcum had contacted the Clay Township attorney in the County Prosecutor’s office.
“Nothing can be done. Anytime a farmer wants to go back to a natural habitat, according to the prosecutor, they have that right. As a matter of fact, there’s a lot of farmers that will do it for a year or two just so they can provide the nutrients for the ground.”
Trustee Dave Vore suggested the three residents, Marcum and Van Gundy could set up a conference call with the attorney to “walk it through” and see if a solution could be reached.
Kennedy also said neighbors had been burning rubber and insulation and asked why the township wouldn’t issue a reminder of prohibited items. Marcum said the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency would have to cit the people in that case.
Vore pointed out, “We don’t have the capability to put every law out to our residents. If I want to burn something, I look it up.”
Bruce also said his neighbor’s grass on Landis Road kept the water from draining from his yard. Keith Luckey, filling in for Road Superintendent Chris Maleski, said the road department would look into that matter.
The trustees also approved a liquor license to S & G Stores, the new management for the former Sunoco store at St. Rt. 49 and National Road.
Trustee President Steve Woolf reminded the public that those who missed dropping off outdated or unused medicines at Keep Clay Clean on Aug. 24 could drop them off at the township building.
Because of the Labor Day holiday, the next board of trustees meeting will be at 5PM on Tuesday, September 3, at the township building, 8207 Arlington Rd.