The Chester Township Board of Trustees met in regular session Thursday, December 16, 2004, in the Town Hall Meeting Room at 7:00 p.m. Chairwoman Patricia M. Mula, presided.

All trustees and the clerk present.

PLEDGE

The Board led the audience in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

CLERK’S FOLDER

2004-572. Mrs. Mula moved to approve and sign Purchase Order #PO 40213 to Joseph W. Diemert, Cleve., Ohio, for $880.00 for the handling of labor relations law with Teamsters Local relative to the Road Dept. employees from Fund 01-A-10. Mr. Stevens seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-573. Mrs. Mula moved to approve and sign Payroll Warrants #PY 46463 through

46467; Payroll Withholding Warrants #PW 46468 through 46473; Voucher Warrants #VW 46474 through 46509. Mr. Stevens seconded. Motion passed.

Clerk’s note: The ending # used on 12-9-04 was #46462; the beginning # used on

12-16-04 is #46463.

2004-574. Mrs. Mula moved to approve $49,055.40 payable to Ronyak Bros., Inc., Burton, Ohio, as approved by the County Engineer for the local match of the Heath Road Issue II project from Funds 4-B-03A and 02-B-03. (see approved Purchase Order #PO 40205 and Voucher Warrant #VW 46408 dated December 10, 2005). Mr. Stevens seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-575.Mrs. Mula moved to approve and sign a letter to the Chesterland Garden

Club thanking them for serving refreshments at the tree lighting ceremony on December 5^th. Mr. Stevens seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-576.Mrs. Mula moved to approve and sign a letter to Bob Eppich, President

of the Chamber of Commerce, regarding the banners and hanging baskets displayed in the township. Mr. Stevens seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-577. Mrs. Mula moved to approve and sign a letter to Judith Schwed, President, of the Chesterland Historical Foundation, regarding not posting the Chamber’s information on the Township’s website. Mr. Stevens seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

Discussion of repairs and maintenance of Chester Fire Rescue, Inc., 8552 Parkside Drive in the amount of $2,670.00.

Discussion ensued regarding a letter requesting the fee(s) be waived by a business owner for special event signage since the December BZA meeting was canceled due to the weather on December 10^th. The Board concurred that whenever permission was granted to waive a zoning fee, it was for non-profit organizations in Chester Township.

2004-578.Mrs. Mula moved that the Board of Trustees denies a waiver of

temporary signage for Diane B. Lees, business owner at Chester Commons, regarding waiving of fee for a special event banner. Mr. Stevens seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

Mr. Stevens updated the Board on the two meetings which the Audit Committee has had to date.

Mrs. Mula would like to schedule a discussion of House Bill 148 on a future agenda for clarification and feels a letter addressed to Timothy Grendell be sent for said clarification. Also, a letter should be sent voicing the Board’s objection to this house bill’s proposed amendments.

Mrs. Austin explained the finances regarding a request for an advance from the Geauga County Auditor in the amount of 75% of the estate taxes. There was a glitch with the UAN System which was handled by the representatives in the State Auditor’s Office. Beginning next week there will be a dry run of the payroll system with the UAN. Explanation of software which will need to be purchased from Key Bank associated with the positive pay. Also explained was the method of accounting used in working with the UAN System.

Mr. Stevens said he will be attending the EMA meeting on December 23, 2004. He is also planning to attend the Ohio Township Association Winter Convention in January, 2005.

Mrs. Mula informed the Board that the computer presentations deadline by various vendors has been extended to the end of January, 2005, since a Profile will be defined and provided to all vendors who have expressed interest in providing a quotation to the Township on the analysis of the computers being operated within the Township offices and departments.

2004-579.Mrs. Mula moved to extend the deadline for computer equipment

analysis from vendors for the Town Hall and Road Dept. to January 21, 2005. Mr. Stevens seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

CLOCK TOWER

Timothy Covert, President of Electolite in Chester Township, explained a proposal for a clock tower to be placed in the Chester Park at the corner of US 322 and 306 which his company would also maintain for the Township. There will be a fund raising effort for this project in the near future.

Zoning Inspector Mike Joyce explained the zoning regulations which would regulate a placement of such a clock tower.

All trustees concur this is a great suggestion and addition to the community.

PUBLIC INPUT

Mr. Cotman asked the Board when the 2005 goals and/or objectives for the township would be discussed.

This matter tabled to a future meeting agenda in 2005. Potential goals for 2005: medical insurance revisited, Chester School and the 80 acre parcel which the Township owns.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business before the Board, Mrs. Mula adjourned the meeting at 8:24 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

_________________________________ _____________________________

Patricia M. Mula, Chairwoman Karen M. N. Austin, CPA, Clerk

_________________________________ ______________

Charles R. Stevens, Vice-chairman Approval Date

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James A. Montague, Trustee

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