The Chester Township Board of Trustees met in regular session Thursday, June 24, 2004, in the Town Hall Meeting Room at 6:33 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.

BUDGET DISCUSSION WITH DEPT. HEADS

Clerk Austin gave a synopsis of her individual meetings with the Road Department and the Police Department. There are three levies that will expire this year. All three levies are desperately needed.

Chief Orosz explained his financial status since the lay-offs in 2002 to the present. It is imperative that the levy pass in order to continue services of the Police Department to remain status quo.

Road Superintendent Mascella explained his financial status and the desperate need for a levy to pass. Some changes will be made as to which funds will be used for various road department expenses. The Gradall will need to be replaced in the near future; it is a 14 year old piece of equipment which needs to be constantly repaired. The cost is around $190,000.00. Some of the township roads are two years behind in repairs due to the financial disaster the township was put in two years ago. We have applied for Issue II funding for various parts.

2004-265. Mr. Montague moved to approve for an extension of time to adopt and file

The annual budget with the County Budget Commission. Mrs. Mula seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-266. Mr. Montague moved to approve a budget hearing will be held on July 22, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Stevens seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

CLERK’S FOLDER

2004-267.Mr. Montague moved to approve and sign minutes dated June 17, 2004.

Mrs. Mula seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-268. Mr. Montague moved to approve and sign the Road Dept. Payroll Sheet dated June 19, 2004. Mr. Stevens seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-269.Mr. Montague moved to approve $3,402.17 payable to BP Products

North America, Midwest Business Center, MBC3, 4850 East 49^th St., Cuyahoga Heights, Ohio 44125 for one-fifth of the portion of payment for the 2003 costs associated with the Chester Township Project from Fund 1-A-26 and approve and sign PO # PO 40096. Clerk’s note: The Total amount is $17,010.84. Mrs. Mula seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-270.Mr. Montague moved to approve Payroll Warrants #PY 45136 through

45175; Payroll Withholding Warrants #PW 45176 through 45185; Voucher Warrants

#VW 45186 through 45223. Mr. Stevens seconded. Motion passed.

Clerk’s Note: The last check number used on June 17, 2004, #45135; the beginning number on June 24, 2004 is #45136.

2004-271. Mr. Montague moved to approve signing the Township Payroll due July 8, 2004, on July 1, 2004, with straight 80 hours for all full-time employees with adjustments to be made in the payroll of July 22, 2004, and to pay the two part-time employees in the Police Dept. for their hours scheduled. Mr. Stevens seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-272.Mr. Montague moved to approve and sign a letter addressed to the UAN,

88 E. Broad St., PO Box 1140, Columbus, Ohio, 43216-1140 requesting Adelphia High

Speed Internet Link, Iomega Zip Drive, and Adobe Acrobat Reader to our UAN computer system. Mr. Stevens seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-273. Mr. Montague moved to approve up to $350.00 for the Clerk and the Assistant to attend the UAN Payroll Training to be held in Columbus, Ohio, on June 29, 2004. Mrs. Mula seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-274.Mr. Montague moved to pass and sign a Resolution to Order The

Improvement of Heath Road, TR 105, Sections B-D, in Chester and Munson Townships and set a bid opening date on July 15, 2004, at 7:05 p.m. Bids shall be received by the Township Clerk, 12701 Chillicothe Road, Chester Township until 4:00 p.m. Mr. Stevens seconded. Roll call vote: Mrs. Mula, yes; Mr. Stevens, yes; Mr. Montague, yes. Motion passed.

The Board and Clerk answered extensive questions regarding finances and concerns about the cement stabilization and asphalt paving of Sherman Road.

The Road Superintendent explained the public hearing process for the Sherman Road paving project.

2004-275. Mr. Montague moved to accept and approve the plans and specifications as

prepared by the Geauga County Engineer’s Office for The Cement Stabilization and Asphalt Paving of Sherman Road, TR 97, Section D, in Chester Township. Mr. Stevens seconded. Roll call vote: Mr. Stevens, yes; Mrs. Mula, yes; Mr. Montague, yes. Motion passed.

2004-276. Mr. Montague moved to approve and sign a Resolution determining to

proceed with the improvement of Sherman Road TR 97, Section D, by paving and berming, together with all necessary appurtenances thereto, and acquiring any

necessary real estate or interests therein in connection therewith. Mrs. Mula seconded. Roll call vote: Mr. Stevens, yes; Mrs. Mula, yes; Mr. Montague, yes. Resolution passed.

Mr. Montague answered questions from the audience about the procedures at a public hearing for the assessments of Sherman Road.

Mr. Mascella said Bldg. 3 is in need of repair to the front gutters, gutter guard and fascia board due to serious water problems in the basement.

2004-277. Mr. Montague moved. to approve up to $1,305.00 payable to American Roofing for gutters and fascia board on Bldg. 3. Mr. Stevens seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-278.Mr. Montague moved to approve up to $1,200.00 for the grinding of

Sherman Road on the west side of the Caves Road intersection. Mrs. Mula seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-279.Mr. Montague moved to appoint the following people as members to the

CAC: Mr. Chess, Mr. Radtke, Mr. Parker, Mr. Cotman, Mr. McKinney. Mrs. Mula seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-280. Mr. Montague moved to set August 25, 2004, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Town Hall to host a septic workshop presented by the Chagrin River Watershed Partners and the Geauga County Health Dept. Mr. Stevens seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-281. Mr. Montague moved to go to Rack Space from Adelphia Web Wizard, the Township’s website hosting, for $19.95 per month with a one time charge of $19.95. Mrs. Mula seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-282. Mr. Montague moved to accept a Resolution to Sell Personal Property by

Internet Auction. Mrs. Mula seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-283. Mr. Montague moved to enter into an agreement with M & M Endeavors,

210 Washington St., Chardon, Ohio 44024, for $125.00 listing fee and $350.00 selling fees to sell a 2001 Mercedes SLK 320 with the approval of legal counsel. Mrs. Mula seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-284. Mrs. Mula moved to approve an Internet Auction for a minimum bid price of

$18,500.00 and a reserve of $22,500.00 on the 2001 Mercedes SLK 320. Mr. Montague seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-285. Mr. Montague moved to move the meeting of July 1, 2004, to 3:30 p.m. Mrs. Mula seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-286.Mrs. Mula moved to allow Mr. Montague to speak and make decisions

on behalf of the Board on June 30, 2004, at the 12487 Harold Drive property. Mr. Montague seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-287.Mr. Montague moved to enter into a Lease Agreement at 12487 Harold

Drive, Chester Township, from June 19, 2004 to June 30, 2004, and rent payment of $4,500.00 in rent received, check # 15069447. Mrs. Mula seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-288.Mr. Montague moved to accept stipulated Judgment Entry signed by Mr.

Weiss and Joan Spellman to go to the Prosecutor’s Office. Mr. Stevens seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2004-289.Mr. Montague moved to approve a Resolution Establishing An Internal

Audit Committee For Chester Township. Resolution attached to the minutes by the Township Clerk. Mrs. Mula seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business before the Board, Mr. Montague adjourned the meeting at 10:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

________________________________ ______________________________

James A. Montague, Chairman Karen M. N. Austin, CPA, Clerk

________________________________ _____________

Patricia M. Mula, Vice-Chairwoman Approval Date

________________________________

Charles R. Stevens, Trustee

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