Liberty Township residents want answers over lack of logging rule enforcement

LIBERTY TWP, Ohio - Some residents in Liberty Township plan to air their grievances over a neighborhood logging issue during a trustee meeting Monday evening.
Residents of Sampson Road and Academy Drive are watching the woods in their backyards change due to the logging, and debris now clutters yards.
Academy Drive resident Susanne Miller says the lack of clean up is concerning residents, and that debris from the logging is left 40 feet from her house.
"I bought this home 30 years ago, and built a living room full of windows so I can sit and enjoy the woods," said Miller.
When residents brought the logging issue to the attention of Township Trustees, they were told that not much could be done since residential logging is legal in the state of Ohio.
Now, the debris is making it hard for Miller to enjoy her yard, but also makes her and her family worry about potential hazards.
"My husband is worried about brush fires, we were just in a drought and now with fireworks season coming up, it could be dangerous," said Miller.
Miller is now having an Ohio State Fire Marshal come out to her property to look at the debris, in hopes of declaring it a fire hazard.
According to Miller, Liberty Township Trustees won't help residents with the logging issue.
Two separate companies are handling the logging on Sampson Road and Academy Drive, and according to the Liberty Township website, logging companies are expected to clean up debris or face a $250 fine.
Miller says trustees aren't enforcing their own rules, and won't tell residents why.
"I feel very brushed off, I feel like they just want us to go away," said Miller.
Monday night, residents plan to ask Liberty Township Trustee's why they won't hold the logging companies accountable during their monthly meeting at the township administration building at 6 p.m.