Correspondent photo / Brandon Cantwell U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Marietta, far left, talks with, from left, Milton trustee Wendy DiBernardi, Fiscal Officer Lisa Balsinger and trustee Dave Tomaino after visiting the township’s zoning office during Monday’s tour of the township.

MILTON TOWNSHIP — U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson noted business development, state assistance with maintenance and infrastructure as some of the community’s challenges during his private tour of Milton Township on Monday.

Johnson arrived at the township hall at 10:30 a.m to meet with township representatives and briefly tour facilities. The area recently came under his representation following changes to district lines.

“They need a business development here to increase their tax base. I believe they need the state to look at trying to help out some with the cost of maintaining this community and the amenities they provide to Lake Milton State Park. Infrastructure is always a big issue, so we’re continuing with that,” Johnson said.

The visit came about after Milton trustee Wendy DiBernardi attended the Community Partnership Forum that Johnson held in Salem last week, where about 20 communities were represented.

“She and fellow trustee Dave Tomaino wanted to show him the Lake Milton business district (aka Mahoning Avenue Corridor project). They met at the town hall and then showed him around the business district and surrounding neighborhood. They’d like Bill to come back later in the summer to take a boat ride on Lake Milton, their community’s biggest economic and recreational asset. They do have a Main Street improvement plan they’ve submitted to Eastgate to be considered for future funding opportunities,” Johnson spokesman Benjamin Keeler stated in an email.

“I had the pleasure of attending a roundtable discussion with several area elected officials. It was during the roundtable event that I got to meet Congressman Johnson and his staffers to put together our visit today,” DiBernardi said. “He graciously agreed to ride around the community so that he could see first-hand all that Lake Milton has to offer. He was able to get a glimpse into the pulse of the community and see some areas that the trustees are working hard to improve, two of which are the business district and the administrative offices.

“Congressman Johnson is aware of our efforts to revitalize the business district and plan a new administrative building that would house our police department and administrative offices and a community room for our residents.”

DiBernardi added that Johnson’s visit showed residents that he cares about the township enough to meet with them and see what their needs are.

Johnson briefly met with police Chief Charles VanDyke during his tour and discussed issues such as recruitment and retention in law enforcement.

“I have never met the congressman face to face before. It sounded to me like what I had to say, he had heard before,” VanDyke said. “If the Congressman’s visit helps push the law enforcement agenda for recruitment and retention down the road, then I will take the visit as a plus. If it does not, then I believe it is still worthwhile because now he knows who we are and what some of our issues are. You never know when that can become beneficial.

“Congressman Johnson’s visit may be the first step to economic development that could lead to bigger and better things for the community.”

Johnson concluded his visit with a stop at the Grandview Tavern, where he met with customers.

Tom Mackall lives in the area and was dining with others when Johnson arrived. Mackall owns a stone company and said he knows Johnson well because he toured his business 14 years ago.

“It’s very good to have a congressman that will learn his district,” Mackall said. “He’ll come down to the smaller guys.”