DUKE CENTER — Otto Township residents have thrown their hats into the ring for the supervisor’s position that opened up because of Chris Claycomb’s stepping down.

Two Rixfordians, Larry Schuessler and Jud Grimes, and Duke Center resident and former supervisor Eric Barton have submitted their names to be considered. Any other resident who wishes to be considered for the position has until June 30th to notify township secretary, Cindy Gardner. The two remaining supervisors, Mark Palmer and Mike Ogilvie, will name Claycomb’s successor at next month’s meeting (July 8th).

Rixford resident Tom Merry was present at this month’s meeting with a request for the township to address an issue of a neighbor’s raw sewage running onto his property. The supervisors agreed to work with the Department of Environmental Protection, Merry and the neighbor to correct this environmental hazard and code violation promptly.

The Otto Recreation Park is now opened, with pavilions, ball fields and restrooms all available, with social distancing regulations posted and enforced. Five new lights in the park building and one in the pavilion area will be installed to improve evening usage and provide additional security.

The township work crew has been busy daily cleaning up and repairing damage from last week’s storm. Debris is cleared off all the township streets and ditches and berms are being repaired. Two new “Welcome to Otto Township” signs are installed — at Prentisvale and Walkertown — with the Rixford and Oil Valley markers to be done this month.

All four will have the capability of advertising any group function in the township. Interested parties should contact Heath at Cousin’s Designs in Duke Center.

Marilyn Kahle, representing the Blight Committee, reported ten letters have been sent out to property owners who are in violation of the township code. Police Chief Donald Nies will follow up with photographs, warnings, and possible citations.