The Chester Township Board of Trustees met in regular session Thursday, February 26, 2004, in the Town Hall Meeting Room at 7:05 p.m.  Chairman James A. Montague, presided.

 

Trustees Montague, Mula and Clerk Wright were present.

 

PLEDGE

 

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

 

MINUTES

 

2004-85.  Mr. Montague moved to approve the minutes dated February 19, 2004.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

CLERK’S FOLDER

 

2004-86.  Mr. Montague moved to approve and sign Purchase Orders #PO 40034 and 40035.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2004-87.  Mr. Montague moved to approve and sign Voucher Warrants #VW 42415 through 42459.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

Clerk’s Note:  The ending voucher number on February 19, 2004, was 42414.  The beginning voucher number on February 26, 2004 is 42415.

 

2004-88.  Mr. Montague moved to set a bid opening date for materials at 7:05 p.m. on March 18, 2004.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2004-89.    Mr. Montague moved to approve and sign plans from Dominion East Ohio

covering the proposed construction of gas main and service on the east side of Sperry

Road running 82’ south of the north wall of a house #11331 to 100’ southerly as indicated in red on the enclosed prints and approved by the Road Superintendent.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2004-90.    Mr. Montague moved to approve the Road Superintendent and one Road

Department worker to attend the Flexible Pavement of Ohio’s annual meeting and

equipment exhibition in Columbus, Ohio, on March 3, 2004, and up to $25.00 expenses for food.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

CHESTERLAND FIRE RESCUE, INC.

 

William Laditka, President of Chesterland Fire Rescue, Inc. said the Fire Department Board is in agreement with the Release Agreement.

 

2004-91.  Mr. Montague moved to enter into a Release Agreement between Chesterland Fire Rescue, Inc. and the Chester Township Board of Trustees to release Chester Township from all monies except for $75,000.00 agreed upon to be paid by or before February 29, 2004, released as of the 26th day of February, 2004.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

Mrs. Mula said she is certain the Board agrees that the Board of the Chesterland Fire Rescue, Inc. has been very cooperative.  If the Township does get restitution from the theft, the money will be shared by the departments. 

 

Mr. Montague thanked Mr. Laditka for the work the Board of Chesterland Fire Rescue, Inc. worked on this Agreement.  Mrs. Mula concurred.

2004-92. Mr. Montague moved to approve and sign the Fire Protection and

Emergency Medical Services Agreement between the Chester Township Board of Trustees and Chesterland Fire Rescue, Inc. in Agreement for 2004 in the dollar amount of  $894,000.00 for fire and rescue for the year commencing March 1, 2004, and terminating February 28, 2005.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

Mr. Laditka said the Board has authorized the Chief to purchase some rescue equipment to replace their very old jaws to life.  This will include two engines to run the equipment and a large spreader, two combination tools, a 40 inch ram tool and three 30 foot sections of new hose.  There was a demonstration of this equipment, and it is less than two years old.  They will get the full two year warranty on this equipment, and the total cost is under $19,000.00.  It is a cost savings of approximately $13,000.00 over the cost of new equipment.

 

2004-93.    Mr. Montague moved to approve Purchase Order #PO 40036 and Voucher

Warrant #VW 42459 payable to Chesterland Fire Rescue, Inc. for final payment for contract monies due from 2002 and 2003 per agreement with Chesterland Fire Rescue, Inc. and Chester Township.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

PUBLIC INPUT

 

Mrs. Mula referenced a public records request from Clerk-Elect Austin.

 

Mr. Wright said he needs to have more specific information in the public records request.

 

Ms. Austin asked about the monthly reconciliations which she has requested.

 

Mr. Wright said he is not required to prepare  monthly reconciliations; one at the end of the year is all that is required if that is what the Clerk so chooses.

 

Resident Linda Grimm asked if the Pending Warrant Report has been re-run verifying that the correction has been made from last week.  Can you verify that this has been done?

 

Mr. Wright said he would investigate the matter and be certain the procedure has gone through.

 

Question raised by a member of the audience regarding the services of Thrasher, Dinsmore & Dolan.  Mr. Montague explained the services which will be provided by the law firm.  The township is only paying expenses for expert witness and filing fees.  If the township does not get any money, the attorneys will not receive any money.

 

Clerk-Elect Austin said she has requested in writing that she would like to meet with Clerk Wright so a smooth transition could be had when she comes in to the office as the Clerk on April 1, 2004.  She has had no response.

 

Mr. Montague said the Board would hope to have a smooth transition.  That matter is between Clerk Wright and Clerk-Elect Austin.

 

Robert Joynt, Buckeye Drive resident, asked the trustees to update him on the Shiloh Treatment Plant being connected to the Valley View Treatment Plant. 

 

 

 

 

The Trustees informed the audience that the County has the final say on this matter.  This is not an expansion of the 208 Plan since this will be a pressure line and not a collection line.  If a homeowner wanted to tie into this pressure line, the cost would be extremely high.  The package plant in Shiloh had to be either upgraded or changed into a pumping station. 

 

Mr. Joynt expressed his displeasure that the Valley View Plant cost $6,000,000.00 and he does not think it is fair for someone else to be connected to the plant.  He would like to see the residents be reimbursed for this tie-in. 

 

Mr. Montague said there will be no mandates for residents along the line to tie into the Valley View Plant. 

 

Mrs. Mula said she would recommend that the Board of Trustees write to the County Commissioners asking them if there is any reconsideration for residents and the commercial district in the Valley View Treatment Plant asking if there could be any type of restitution or credit to their assessment since there is an additional tie in coming into the plant.

 

Mr. Montague concurs with contacting the County Commissioners if there would be some way there could be some restitution to the current residents in the Valley View Treatment Plant. 

 

Mr. Montague said the Board will contact Mr. Saikaly to come to a public meeting when this matter can be addressed for a better understanding by all interested people.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business before the Board, Mr. Montague adjourned the meeting at 8:17 p.m.

 

                                                                                 Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

________________________________                 ______________________________

James A. Montague, Chairman                               Clay W. Wright, Clerk

 

 

 

________________________________                 ____________

Patricia M. Mula, Vice-chairwoman                       Approval Date

 

 

 

________________________________

Charles R. Stevens, Trustee

 

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