The Chester Township Board of Trustees met in regular session Thursday, December 9, 2004, in the Town Hall Meeting Room at 6:30 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.

DEPARTMENT WORK SESSIONS

The Police Chief and the Road Superintendent presented their budget information to the Board of Trustees at this time.

Mr. Montague addressed use of cell phones by police officers while in their cruisers.

CLERK’S FOLDER

2004-560. Mrs. Mula moved to approve up to $880.00 ($110.00 per hour) payable to Joseph W. Diemert, Esq., Cleveland, Ohio, for the handing of compliance with labor relations law with the Teamsters Local relative to the Road Dept. employees from Fund 1-A-10. Mr. Montague seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-561. Mrs. Mula moved to approve and sign minutes dated September 16,

November 18, and December 2, 2004. Mr. Stevens seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-562. Mrs. Mula moved to approve and sign Road Dept. Payroll Time Sheet dated

December 4, 2004. Mr. Stevens seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-563. Mrs. Mula moved to approve authorization for the Township Clerk to execute an appropriation transfer of funds within the General Fund in the amount of $5,000.00 from line item account 01-A-10 Outside Legal Counsel to line item account 01-A-01 salaries – trustees to pay trustees salaries to the end of the year. Mr. Stevens seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-564. Mrs. Mula moved to approve authorization for the Township Clerk to execute an appropriation transfer of funds within the Police Dept. Fund in the amount of $1,500.00 from line item account 09-A-14 Other Expenses to line item account 09-A-11 Utilities to pay utilities through the end of the year. Mr. Stevens seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-565. Mrs. Mula moved to approve and sign Payroll Warrants #PY 46366 through 46407; Voucher Warrant #VW 46408 through 46411; Voucher Warrants #VW 46413 through 46448; Voucher Warrant #VW 46450 through 46452; Payroll Withholding Warrant #PW 46453 through 46462 and declare #46449 void due to printer error. Mr. Stevens seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

Clerk’s note: The ending # used on December 2, 2004, was #46365; the beginning

# used on December 9, 2004 is #46366.

2004-566. Mrs. Mula moved to approve an Amended Rate Resolution which reflects

the total millage that will be collected in Tax Year 2004 (2005 Collection Year) for Chester Township. Mr. Stevens seconded. Roll call vote: Mr. Montague, yes; Mr. Stevens, yes; Mrs. Mula, yes. Motion passed.

2004-567. Mrs. Mula moved to approve $4,200.00 for 2005 membership dues to the Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Inc., Willoughby, Ohio, from Fund 1-A-26 and sign Purchase Order #PO 40212 to Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Inc. for 2005 membership dues from Fund 1-A-26. and approve Voucher Warrant #VW 46412. Mr. Stevens seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-568.Mrs. Mula moved to approve and sign letter addressed to residents along

Ferry, Brook Lane and Mulberry Roads regarding a logging operation that is

going to take place on the old Lake County Landfill and Orchard Hills Golf Course properties. Mr. Stevens seconded. Discussion ensued regarding adding the Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District as a contact agency for any questions that may arise regarding this logging operation. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-569. Mrs. Mula moved to approve and sign Cemetery Deed and Cemetery Deed Record Book for Lot 414, Site 3, Section C in the Chester Township Cemetery for Jack Bolster, 12435 Stockbridge, Chester Township. Mr. Stevens seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-570.Mrs. Mula moved to approve and sign letters to the Kiwanis Club,

Chesterland Park District and the Chesterland Rotary thanking them all for their efforts in the holiday decorations in the Chester Township Park. Mr. Stevens seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

The Road Superintendent announced the Christmas tree drop off to be held on January 3, 2005 to January 14, 2005, at the Chester School which will be funded by a grant provided by the Geauga County Solid Waste District.

Discussion ensued regarding a request from the Chamber of Commerce that the Road Dept. employees be responsible for putting up the banners on the utility poles in the Township and putting up, taking down, and storage of the hanging flower baskedts on the utility poles during the spring and summer seasons. A letter to be written to the Chamber of Commerce that the Road Dept. could be responsible for the water of the hanging flower baskets only.

Discussion of the Township Technology Needs information submitted by Trustee Stevens.

CHESTER FIRE RESCUE, INC.

The President of Chester Fire Rescue, Inc., William Laditka, Sr., introduced the members of the Board of the fire department and presented financial information including ambulance billing to the Board of Trustees at this time.

RESCHEDULING OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING

2004-571.Mrs. Mula moved to reschedule the trustees meeting of December 23,

2004, to Wednesday, December 22, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Montague seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

This matter to be discussed at a future meeting.

Clerk Austin informed the Board that the UAN (United Accounting Network) is on track. The hope is to run the payroll system parallel with the OTAS (Ohio Township Accounting System) and the UAN this Saturday when the Clerk’s Assistant will be working with her.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business before the Board, Mrs. Mula adjourned the meeting at 9:23 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

___________________________________ _____________________________

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

___________________________________ _____________

Charles R. Stevens, Vice-chairman Approval Date

___________________________________

James A. Montague, Trustee

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