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CRIME ALERT

The Sheriff's Office is advising residents that use window air conditioners to ensure they are well secured in the window. Criminals have been targeting homes with window air conditioners since the units can be easily removed to gain access to the home and committ burglaries.

Morris Rd. Speed Study

At the request of a Morris Rd. resident, the Sheriff’s Office recently operated a speed monitoring trailer on Morris Rd. Last year, the same trailer was operated on Langton Rd., but no study was performed.

The Morris Rd. study is now complete and here is a summary of the results:

• The trailer was in place for 7 days in early May 2022.
   
• A total of 3,602 vehicles passed through the monitored area, which has a speed limit of 55 MPH
   
• A total of 55 vehicles (1.5%) were traveling above the speed limit
   
• The highest speed monitored by the trailer was 62 MPH

Per Ohio Revised Code section 4511.21.B(5), the speed limit is 55 MPG on unmarked (no speed limit signs) roadways outside municipal corporations.

Therefore, the roads in Brown Township without speed limit signs have a 55 MPH speed limit. NOTE: when the school zone flashers are operating on Walker and Roberts Rds., the speed limit is 20 MPH while inside the school zone.

In Ohio, basic speed limits are set in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section 4511.21. These are considered "prima facie" limits, that is, they are subject to change when information can be supplied that would justify a change. Authority to change speed limits in various jurisdictions is as follows:

• State Highways, including Interstate Highways and State Highways inside cities and villages: by Ohio Department of Transportation
   
• City and village roads and streets other than state highways: by the city or village through engineering study
   
• County and township roads and streets: by Ohio Department of Transportation through engineering study provided by the county or township

Avian Flu detected in Brown Township

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Shelby Croft, (614) 752-9817, shelby.croft@agri.ohio.gov

HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA DETECTED IN BACKYARD FLOCK IN FRANKLIN COUNTY

REYNOLDSBURG, OH (March 30, 2022) -- Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been detected in a backyard chicken flock in Franklin County. The positive detection was confirmed by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS). The samples were first tested at the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and confirmed at the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa.

HPAI is a highly contagious virus that spreads quickly and can be fatal to flocks and devastating to poultry owners, both commercial and non-commercial.

State officials quarantined the affected premise, and birds on the property will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flock will not enter the food system.  Federal and State partners are working jointly on additional surveillance and testing in areas around the affected flock. Surveillance activities will be conducted in a 10-kilometer zone around the infected premise.

HPAI can infect poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese, and guinea fowl) and is carried by free flying waterfowl such as ducks, geese, and shorebirds. The recent HPAI detections do not present an immediate public health concern, according to the Centers for Disease Control. No human cases have been detected in the United States. As a reminder, the proper handling and cooking of all poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 ˚F is recommended as a general food safety precaution.

“Enhanced Biosecurity is the number one preventive measure against avian influenza,” State Veterinarian Dr. Dennis Summers said. “HPAI can infect any size flock. We urge all poultry owners to intensify their biosecurity and best management practices.”

Biosecurity and best management practices include:

• Prevent contact with wild birds and waterfowl. Keep birds indoors when possible.
• Keep visitors to a minimum.Only allow those who care for your poultry to have contact with them and make sure they follow biosecurity principles.
• Wash your hands before and after contact with live poultry. Use soap and water. If using a hand sanitizer, first remove manure, feathers, and other materials from your hands.
• Provide disposable boot covers (preferred) and/or disinfectant footbaths for anyone having contact with your flock.If using a footbath, remove all droppings, mud or debris from boots and shoes using a long-handled brush BEFORE stepping in. Always keep it clean.
• Establish a rodent and pest control program. Deliver, store, and maintain feed, ingredients, bedding, and litter to limit exposure to and contamination from wild animals.
• Use drinking water sourced from a contained supply (well or municipal system). Do not use surface water for drinking or cleaning.
• Clean and disinfect tools and equipment before moving them to a new poultry facility.Trucks, tractors, tools, and equipment should be cleaned and disinfected prior to exiting the property. Do not move or reuse anything that cannot be cleaned.
• Look for signs of illness. Monitor egg production and death loss, discoloration and/or swelling of legs, wattles and combs, labored breathing, reduced feed/water consumption.

If you notice any symptoms or unexpected deaths in your flock, please report them immediately to the Ohio Poultry Association (614.882.6111), or the Ohio Department of Agriculture (regular business hours: 614.728.6220; after hours: 888.456.3405).

Mando Ditch Petition Meetings

Patterson Rd., Jerman Ln., Morris Rd., small part of Amity Rd.

Mando Ditch Petition Materials: [Click Here]

Ohio Revised Code section 6131 allows the cost and maintenance of drainage improvement projects to be assessed over multiple landowners based on the benefit created to those properties. The Franklin County Engineer’s Office performs the design and oversees the construction and maintenance of these projects. Concerned landowners should attend these meetings to stay informed and provide feedback to the process.

Golfview Ditch Petition Meetings

Golfview Ct., Cole Rd south of Feder Rd., south side of Feder Rd., north side of Hardwood Dr.

Golfview Ditch Petition Materials: [Click Here]

Ohio Revised Code section 6131 allows the cost and maintenance of drainage improvement projects to be assessed over multiple landowners based on the benefit created to those properties. The Franklin County Engineer’s Office performs the design and oversees the construction and maintenance of these projects. Concerned landowners should attend these meetings to stay informed and provide feedback to the process.

Report Failing Sewage Systems

When household sewage treatment systems fail, untreated sewage is discharged into the environment. Untreated wastewater from a failing system can contaminate drainage ditches, streams and drinking water wells. Avoid contact with untreated human waste.

Report suspected failed systems:

• Call (614) 525-4787
• FailingHSTS@FranklinCountyOhio.gov

About Township Communications

Section 505.07 of the Ohio Revised Code allows newsletters and websites for public awareness. Content for the Brown Township Newsletters and Website is provided by township officials, residents and various public organizations. This website contains much more information than is published in the newsletters. However, each newsletter is archived on this website.

Please send comments, articles and photos to Brown Township Newsletter Editor, 2491 Walker Rd, Hilliard, OH; 43026.
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