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| The
Constitutional Powers and Responsibilities of the
Board of Lake Township Trustees
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The
Lake Township Board of Trustees is responsible for the unincorporated
area of Lake Township as defined by the Ohio Revised Code
and meet in regular session to consider township business
at hand. The powers and duties of the local officials are
limited by the Ohio Revised Code (ORC). Some of the powers
that are granted to the trustees are as follows: |
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A
board of township trustees has the authority to employ police
officers and constables and create police districts. These
officers and constables, in general, have the same authority
and powers that the law grants to a sheriff. Lake Township
is patrolled by the Stark County Sheriff and a nine square
mile area in the Uniontown area is covered by the Uniontown
Police Department. |
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A
board of township trustees has the authority to establish
township fire protection. The Board presently contracts
with three (3) private fire companies. A fire prevention
officer is also required to be on staff of the township.
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A
board of township trustees may purchase, appropriate, construct,
enlarge, improve, repair or equip a township park. Monies
may be used from township general funds to acquire or improve
a park or the board may levy a tax. However, if an additional
tax is required, it must be submitted to the township voters
for approval. The township may establish and operate a park
along or in cooperation with another political subdivision. |
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The
State of Ohio authorized township zoning in 1947. In November
of 1958 voters in Lake Township approved zoning in our township.
Once approved by the voters, Lake Township’s first
zoning resolution went into effect. The purpose of township
zoning is to protect the public health, safety, morals,
and general welfare of its citizens. The Ohio Revised Code
authorizes a board of township trustees to create, in addition
to the position of a zoning Inspector, two boards –
the zoning commission and the quasi-judicial board of zoning
appeals. |
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The
board of trustees is responsible for reconstructing and
maintaining the public roadways in the township. The care
and maintenance of the township road system is one of the
largest functions that the board of trustees undertakes.
Today Lake Township has approximately 131.97 miles of township
roads. |
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The
board of trustees has the authority to offer economic development
incentives such as enterprise zones to attract new businesses
and create new jobs to benefit Lake Township’s residents. |
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The
board of trustees has limited additional authority as outlined
in the Ohio Revised Code. A board of township trustees does
not have the authority to raise property taxes. |
