EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one in a series looking at what Northeast Ohio communities, school districts and organizations experienced in 2024 and what is facing them in 2025. Perry Township trustees achieved success this year with resurfacing roads in the community. “2024 was another year of substantial paving in Perry Township,” Trustee Board Chairman Robert Dawson said. Dawson provided a summary of the township government’s major accomplishments in 2024 and top goals for 2025. When it came to upgrading streets this year, the township paved Maple Street, Red Oak Drive, White Cedar Place and White Oak Court. “These roads are heavily traveled areas in our residential subdivisions,” he said. “Funding for the work came from the township’s 2.9-mill road levy.” The community’s voters renewed the road levy in the November election, which will allow the township to conduct additional paving in 2025. “As the year 2025 appropriations are being finalized, the plan is to set aside an additional $400,000 to $500,000 for street resurfacing, based on results of competitive bidding,” Dawson said. “Similar to last year, we will bid our paving project in conjunction with Madison Township to secure lower pricing.” All paving projects are prioritized based on the township’s pavement analysis performed by an independent engineer as funds are available, he added. Other major projects in the township that are either in progress or being planned for the future include: • Work has been completed on the trailhead, parking lot and pavilion for the future fitness and educational trail on an undeveloped portion of Perry Township Park. This trail’s entrance will be on Parmly Road, just west of the soccer field. “The monies for this project were allocated from the state’s Capital Budget through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, with support from state Rep. Jamie Callender and state Sen. Jerry Cirino,” Dawson said. “We’ll continue to search for additional funds to commence work on the walking trails portion of this project.” • Major improvements are being performed on the restrooms at Perry Township Park. “This project will include American with Disabilities Act upgrades to both the women’s and men’s area,” Dawson said. These enhancements will allow access for people in wheelchairs or individuals using walkers; and make it possible for people with aides or companions to easily enter and exit the restrooms, he said. It’s anticipated that the upgraded restrooms will be completed by the park’s opening in 2025. • The Perry Joint Economic Development District has completed plans and advertised for bids for the sewer project serving the industrial zoned lands on the corner of Clark and Perry Park roads. “This is a project that has been in the works for many years, which includes sewer lines on Perry Park Road with a necessary pumping station and discharge lines down Clark Road,” Dawson said. “The plans are to install this project in 2025.” Funding for the project is a joint effort using JEDD funds and matching American Rescue Plan Act money made available through Lake County commissioners. In addition, the township and county are searching for grant funds to add a public water line up Perry Park Road, as outlined in the county’s master plan and as a last major infrastructure piece for this JEDD property, Dawson said.