Jersey Township, Licking County · September 9, 2026 - 7:30 p.m.
Trustee Wetzel called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Platte called the roll and it was confirmed that Trustees Fry, Wetzel, and Pieper were in attendance.
Trustee Wetzel moved to approve the agenda as amended. Trustee Pieper seconded the motion. Discussion: Under Fiscal Officer resolution to amend the 2026 permanent appropriates to increase the cemetery salaries line. With no further discussion, the motion to amend and adopt the agenda was approved via unanimous roll call vote.
Trustee Wetzel opened the public hearing continued from July 6, 2026, and August 3, 2026, for the Final Development Plan for Jersey 1820 LTD for the parcels 082-106920-00.006 and 082-106920-00.001 located at the southwest corner of Worthington and Putnam Roads at 7:33 p.m. The motion was seconded by Trustee Pieper and with no further discussion, the motion was approved via unanimous roll call vote.
Mr. Platte explained that there were still outstanding items and Crossroads Community Planning could not recommend approval of the Final Development Plan at this time. The Trustees discussed whether to continue the public hearing to a date certain or to deny the request. If the Trustees deny the Final Development Plan the applicant will have to start the process over.
Trustee Fry moved to continue the public hearing for the Final Development Plan for Jersey 1820 to no later than December 31, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. with notifications being sent to adjacent property owners and placed on the township website once the date and time is determined. If the complete Final Development plan is not submitted to the township by December 31, 2026, the trustees will take action on the plan at a January 2027 meeting. Trustee Pieper seconded the motion and with no further discussion, the motion was approved via unanimous roll call vote. Time out of the public hearing was 7:46 p.m.
Trustee Wetzel introduced the minutes from the August 3, 2026, Regular Meeting and asked if there were any requested changes. With no changes being requested, Trustee Fry moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve the minutes as presented. Trustee Pieper seconded the motion and with no further discussion, the motion was approved 2-0 via roll call vote. Trustee Wetzel abstained.
Trustee Wetzel asked for Public Comments.
Steve Muir of Jug Street Road inquired on the status of the Worthington Corridor Overlay District Innovation Employment Area (IE) map amendment.
Mr. Platte explained the process and the map amendment will be heard at the Licking County Planning Commission meeting on September 28, 2026. The Jersey Township Zoning Commission have scheduled a public hearing for September 20, 2026.
Trustee Pieper moved to hold the Trustees public hearing for the map amendment for the Worthington Corridor Overlay District Innovation Employment Area (IE) on November 9, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. Trustee Wetzel seconded the motion and with no further discussion, the motion was approved via unanimous roll call vote.
Fiscal Officer Jesenko provided the Finance Report.
Trustee Wetzel moved “Resolution to Amend the 2026 Permanent Appropriations” to reflect a $6,000 increase to line 2041-410-190-0000 for a total appropriation in the line of $19,000.00 and amend the budget to reflect the same. Trustee Pieper seconded the motion and with no further discussion, the motion was approved via unanimous roll call vote.
Trustee Wetzel moved to approve the Finance Report as presented. Trustee Pieper seconded the motion and with no further discussion, the motion was approved via unanimous roll call vote. There were two Cemetery Deeds.
Trustee Wetzel asked for department reports.
Mr. Platte explained the Jersey Township Development Plan Community Visioning Workshop for August 20, 2026 was cancelled due to the weather. This workshop has been rescheduled for September 24, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. at the Jersey Baptist Church. The township will send out email notifications to the list serve and place a notice on the township website. Mr. Platte discussed the Ohio Public Works Commission application being due in November and submitting a joint application with Licking Regional Water District for Cole Estates for the waterlines.
Mr. Witney provided updates on zoning matters in the township. Licking County Planning Commission held a meeting at the Coughlin Kia site which Mr. Whitney attended.
Nothing to report.
Trustee Wetzel introduced Unfinished Business - No Unfinished Business was provided.
Trustee Wetzel introduced New Business.
Mr. Platte discussed the Welcome to Jersey Township signs and the one that was located at the S curve on Mink Street South by Mr. Smith’s house is gone with only the post remaining. Mr. Platte discussed reaching out to local schools and seeing if the High School art classes would like to submit designs for new Welcome to Jersey Township Signs. The Trustees support this idea.
Mr. Platte discussed the issues with vehicles being left in the parking lot at the township building. The township would need to install “no parking” signs to have the authority to tow the vehicles. Mr. Platte would work with the Licking County Prosecutor’s Office for the language on the signage.
Trustee Pieper moved to authorize Mr. Platte to work with the Licking County Prosecutor’s Office on the language for the signage, purchase the signs, and install. Trustee Fry seconded the motion and with no further discussion, the motion was approved via unanimous roll call vote.
Trustee Pieper moved “Resolution Authorizing the Prosecutor’s Office to Intervene in Ohio Power Siting Board Cases Affecting Jersey Township” as presented. Trustee Fry seconded the motion and with no further discussion, the motion was approved via unanimous roll call vote.
Mr. Platte explained that the contract expires December 31, 2026 and reviewed the recommended amendments.
Trustee Wetzel moved “Resolution Authorizing an Amendment to the Fire and EMS Services Contract with the Monroe Township Fire Department” as attached in Exhibit A. Trustee Pieper seconded the motion and with no further discussion, the motion was approved via unanimous roll call vote.
Trustee Wetzel asked for any Public Comments -
Ian Nickey with Hicks Partners gave an update on the gas line project for the Energy Coop.
John Jones of Reussner Road reported the repairs to Reussner Road have been made by the contractor.
Trustee Wetzel asked for Trustee Comments -
Trustee Wetzel has been contacted by a resident on Beech Road dealing with a plate on the road that is creating noise. The City of New Albany is working on a permanent solution for this issue. The township received a call regarding an issue with traffic on Miller Road. Congressman Troy Balderson met with residents regarding flood and disaster relief in Pataskala.
Trustee Wetzel moved to enter into Executive Session pursuant to ORC 121.22(G)(1) for matters involving one or more employees, (G)(2) to discuss the purchase and/or sale of property, (G)(3) for conferences with an attorney to discuss pending litigation, and (G)(8) to consider confidential information related to the marketing plans, specific business strategy, production techniques, trade secrets, or personal financial statements of an applicant for economic development assistance, or to negotiations with other political subdivisions respecting requests for economic development assistance, and declare that the Executive Session includes the provisions of Chapter 715, section 5709.73 to 5709.75 of the ORC, and/or Chapter 349, and that the Executive Session is necessary to protect the interests of the applicant or the possible investment or expenditure of public funds to be made in connection with the economic development project. The time going into Executive Session was 9:06 p.m. Invited into the executive session were Trustees Fry, Pieper, and Wetzel, Fiscal Officer Jesenko, and Mr. Platte. Included via telephone was Attorney Matt Teetor.
Trustee Wetzel moved to come out of Executive Session and return to regular session. Trustee Pieper seconded the motion and with no further discussion, the motion was approved via unanimous roll call vote. The time out of Executive Session was 11:45 p.m.
Trustee Pieper moved to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Wetzel seconded the motion and the voice vote on the motion was 3-0. The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
Marko F. Jesenko, Fiscal Officer
Attest:
Dan Wetzel, Chairperson
Jeff Fry, Vice-Chairperson
Ben Pieper, Trustee
This page is the full text of the minutes. Signatures appear on the original signed PDF, available for printing.