The Chester Township Board of Trustees met in regular session Thursday, March 25, 2004, in the Town Hall Meeting Room at 7:00 p.m.  Chairman James A. Montague, presided.

All trustees and the clerk present.

PLEDGE

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

MINUTES

2004-132.  Mr. Montague moved to approve and sign minutes dated March 18, 2004.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

CLERK’S FOLDER

2004-133.  Mr. Montague moved to approve and sign Purchase Order #PO 40042.   Mr. Stevens seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

2004-134.Mr. Montague moved to approve and sign Payroll Warrants #PY 42621

through 42623; Payroll Withholding Warrants $42624 through 42629; Voucher Warrants #VW 42630 through 42669.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

Clerk’s Note:  The ending check number used on 3-18-04 was 42620; the beginning number on 3-25-04 is 42621.

2004-135.  Mr. Montague moved to approve Permanent Appropriations for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004, in the amount of $4,676,142.50 as prepared by the Township Clerk in consultation with the Board of Trustees, Chief of Police and the Road Superintendent.  Mrs. Mula seconded  Roll Call Vote:  Mrs. Mula, yes; Mr. Montague, yes; Mr. Stevens, yes.  Motion passed.

2004-136.  Mr. Montague moved to approve and accept the material bids as recommended by the Road Superintendent on the legend provided and enter into contract with each of the recommended companies as follows:  Pavement Technology, Jasa  Asphalt Materials, Arms Trucking Co., Osborne Concrete & Stone, Schloss Materials Co.  Legend attached to the minutes by the Township Clerk.   Mr. Stevens seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

2004-137.  Mr. Montague moved to approve an Application for Use of the Town Hall Meeting Room on Thursday, April 1, 2004, from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. by Clerk-elect Karen

M. N. Austin for her swearing in ceremony as the Clerk of Chester Township. 

2004-138.  Mr. Montague moved to approve $350.00 payable to Myers Reese Smith & Chester, 31500 Bainbridge Road, Solon, Ohio, 44139,  for a $100,000.00 bond for Clerk-elect Karen M. N. Austin.  Mr. Stevens seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

AUCTIONEER TOM MAROUS – 7:15 P.M.

Auctioneer Tom Marous explained his past experience in auctioning.  He works with professionals and news media for advertising the upcoming auction.  He is a certified appraiser and auctioneer.  His offer to the township is his commission on chattels would be 5% and the commission on real estate is 4%.  Anyone attending the auction must be pre-approved by their bank that they have the money that they may be bidding on.  One month of advertising and open houses on real estate is realistic.  For the chattels, two weeks is the average amount of time.  The advertising would be at an additional cost.   He is not in favor of online auctions but does have access to a site he can advertise the auction on.  All inspections must be completed before the time of the auction.  If he is not qualified to appraise certain items, he does have professionals he can invite in for the appraisal which would be an added cost for that person coming in to appraise the item(s).  He would suggest having the auction at a larger site other than the Town Hall; such as, the West Geauga High School or possibly the Fire Department.  You would need security to be provided by the Police Department which would also be at an additional cost. 

MIA MOORE, AREA MANAGER, THE ILLUMINATING CO. – 7:30 P.M.

Mia Moore explained that the Kirtland Station has been updated which should help areas in Chester Township where the most outages have been occurring.  An inspection of the existing poles is being done and reported with any problems to the dispatch stations.  There is some tree maintenance being done at this time which is in the road right-of-way.  She encouraged the Board to continue contacting her when there is a problem with outages in order to work out any issues that are of a concern.  The more calls that come in for a particular problem, the better since the system is designed to correct the problem more rapidly. 

PUBLIC INPUT

Mia Moore and her associate answered questions and concerns presented by members of the audience.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business before the Board, Mr. Montague adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m.

                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

_______________________________                  ______________________________

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

_______________________________                  ____________

Patricia M. Mula, Vice-chairwoman                      Approval Date

_______________________________

Charles R. Stevens, Trustee

CWW\mlf