CLAY TOWNSHIP — The trustees discussed applying for state funding for improvements to a township road that is deteriorating due to flooding.

The trustees discussed the matter with Mike Tackett, of Kramer and Associates, located in Eaton.

According to the Kramer and Associates website, the firm provides engineering, surveying and consulting services “for clients ranging from villages and cities to state agencies, and from individuals to large corporations.”

The trustees have used the firm’s services in the past to obtain funding for various township projects.

The firm is working with the trustees once again in an attempt to obtain an Ohio Public Works Commission grant to upgrade a portion of Pleasant Plain Road, located between Brookville-Phillipsburg and Wellbaum roads.

The mile section of road is subject to flooding whenever heavy rains cause the creek near the road to overflow.

The trustees two years ago submitted a request, with the assistance of Kramer, for OPWC funds to upgrade the road without success.

“Getting it funded sooner rather than later is to your benefit,” Tackett told the trustees.

“There’s two ways to fund it. You can go for the full amount and you put whatever funds you can afford toward the project or you can do what is called a ‘50/50’ where you can receive 50 percent of the cost from a grant and the other 50 percent from a zero-interest loan,” Tackett said.

Tackett noted the deadline to apply for an OPWC grant is August 25.

Tackett said one thing his firm needs to do when submitting a request for funds is to look at the cost of the project when the township applied two years ago in order to determine what costs have increased in 2024.

“There are also some other things we need to look at and include in the request that will help us secure the funds,” Tackett said.

“Obviously, the flooding of the road in that area is a major issue.” Tackett continued.

The flooding problem, Tackett said, should be included with the application.

Tackett also suggested it would be beneficial for Brookville Fire Chief Ron Fletcher and Clay Township Police Chief John Van Gundy to submit a statement with the application indicating the problems encountered with fire and rescue and police response times during emergencies when the road is impassible due to flooding.

Tackett said the statements from Fletcher and Van Gundy, along with the maintenance costs involved in repairing damage caused by flooding “will all factor in to it when we submit our request for this funding cycle.” Tackett said.

Tackett pointed out the longer the flooding is allowed to continue the more the road will deteriorate.

“That makes obtaining funding for the project more crucial,” Tackett said.

The trustees plan to further discuss the grant request application at their next work session, which will take place prior to the May 6 trustee meeting.

A date for the work session has not been selected at this time.

Reach Terry Baver at [email protected].