The Chester Township Board of Trustees met in regular session Thursday, February 17, 2005, in the Town Hall Meeting Room at 7:00 p.m.  Chairman Charles R. Stevens, presided.

 

Trustees Mula and Stevens present and Clerk Austin.  Mr. Montague was absent due to illness.

 

PLEDGE

 

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

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

2005-72.    Mr. Stevens moved to enter into Executive Session pursuant to ORC 121.22 to

review personnel issues.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Roll call vote:  Mrs. Mula, yes; Mr. Stevens, yes.  Motion passed.

 

The Board and Clerk entered Executive Session at 7:01 p.m.

 

The Board and Clerk re-entered Regular Meeting at 7:15 p.m.

 

CLERK

 

2005-73.    Mr. Stevens moved to rescind Board motion of January 13, 2005, Motion 

2005-3, wage change for Clint Sherbondy.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-74.    Mr. Stevens moved to approve wage increase for Clint Sherbondy of $0.50 per

hour, to $12.50 per hour, effective February 13, 2005.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-75.  Mr. Stevens moved to approve payment for Mike Joyce for 57.25 over-time hours at $18.74 per hour for a total of $1,609.30 to correct time sheets for 2004.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-76.Mr. Stevens moved to approve one hour of overtime for Administrative

Assistant Mary Lou Fende for unexpected work on February 17, 2005.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-77.Mr. Stevens moved to approve and sign Road Dept. Payroll Time Sheet

dated February 12, 2005.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-78.Mr. Stevens moved to approve and sign minutes dated August 26, 2004,

October 21, 2004, November 11, 2004, December 9, 16, 22, 30, 2004, January 6, 2005, January 13, 2005, January 27, 2005, February 3, 2005.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

Clerk Austin explained the procedures which are followed regarding reviewing drafts of minutes after they are completed by the Administrative Assistant.  Mrs. Mula said she always thought the minutes are the responsibility of the Clerk.  She has since found out that the Clerk is to generate the Board of Trustees minutes; they are ultimately the Board’s responsibility.  Mrs. Mula is waiting for confirmation on this matter. 

 

 

 

2005-79.Mr. Stevens moved to approve and sign Payroll Warrants #PY 46829

through 46865; Payroll Withholding Warrants #PW 46866 through 46879; UAN #46101.  The Clerk explained the status of the UAN system regarding payroll and accounting and explained the need to request the four free hours we are entitled for the UAN.  We aren’t yet on line with the State Auditor’s Office.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

Clerk’s Note:  The ending # on 2-10-05 was UAN #46100; the beginning UAN # on

2-17-05 is #46101.  The ending # on 2-03-05 is OTAS #46828; the beginning # on

2-17-05 is OTAS #46829. 

 

Mr. Stevens said the Board received today a copy of the fire contract for Chester Fire Rescue, Inc.  This contract will be reviewed by the Board of Trustees and then forward the contract on to the Prosecutor’s Office for an opinion. 

 

Mrs. Mula explained that approval of the Drug-Free Workplace Program with the BWC will save the township money.  The Clerk thanked Mrs. Mula for taking the lead on researching the cost savings to the township.

 

2005-80.  Mr. Stevens moved to approve the Drug-Free Workplace Program application for Level 1, effective January 1, 2006.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-81.  Mr. Stevens moved to approve and sign letter to the Citizens Advisory Committee letter requesting the Committee to move forward on developing a plan of action regarding the Chester School building.  Mr. Stevens read the above-referenced letter to the audience.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-82.  Mr. Stevens moved to cancel the Board of Trustees March 3, 2005, meeting due to scheduling conflicts.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-83.    Mr. Stevens moved to approve and sign a letter to the Zoning Commission

regarding Zoning Amendment Z-2004-1 and requesting that a review be done on

Section 8, Oil and Gas Well Regulations of the Chester Township Zoning Resolution.  Mrs. Mula seconded and Mr. Stevens read the letter to the audience.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-84.  Mr. Stevens moved to approve and sign a Proclamation to Patricia Jasko for her years of dedicated service with the West Geauga Joint Recreation Board.   Mrs. Mula seconded and read the Proclamation to the audience.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

POLICE DEPT.

 

Chief Orosz explained the need for the following policy to be added to the procedures for the Police Dept., Policy #405 and the training which Officer Pocek received to be shared with his fellow officers.

 

2005-85.Mr. Stevens moved to approve new Police Dept. Policy #405 Advanced

Taser Procedure dated 2-10-05 as recommended by Chief Orosz.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-86.  Mr. Stevens moved to accept Chief Orosz’s request to dissolve our 911 Primary Safety Answering Point and dissolve our dispatch operations due to fiscal responsibilities effective April 5, 2005, at 10:00 a.m.  Mr. Stevens read the letter to the audience.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-87.  Mr. Stevens moved to approve and sign a letter thanking Sheriff McClelland and Chief Deputy Hillenbrand for their attendance at the February 10th Board of  Trustees meeting.  Mr. Stevens read the letter to the audience.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

Chief Orosz said he is planning to hire a part-time officer and advertise for additional full-time officers for the Police Department.

 

Mr. Stevens suggested/requested that Chief Orosz develop a fact sheet and/or other communication tools to be put in place to inform residents on how emergencies and non-emergencies would be handled during business hours (M-F, 8-5) and when the Police Department is closed, so the Board can better inform the residents of the changes. 

 

The Chief explained to the Board what has taken place and what will be taking place regarding this change(s) in service.

 

2005-88.    Mr. Stevens moved to approve and sign letter to Sheriff Daniel C. McClelland

and Dale Wedge, Director of Emergency Services, advising them of the Board’s decision to dissolve dispatch operations and request that these services be provided by the Sheriff’s Department.  Mrs. Mula seconded. Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

Chief Orosz answered questions from the audience regarding the hiring proposal for police personnel and accidents which have been observed by Chester residents.

 

ROAD DEPT.

 

2005-89.    Mr. Stevens moved to approve up to $1,500.00 payable to Cleveland Spring,

Cleve., Ohio, for front springs repair on truck #8 from appropriation

#2031-330-323-0074.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

ZONING DEPT.

 

2005-90.    Mr. Stevens moved to approve Report to Ohio EPA Regarding Status of

Chester Township Storm Water Management Program in conformance with

3GQ00075*AG as prepared by Zoning Inspector Mike Joyce and Road Superintendent Chuck Mascella.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-91.  Mr. Stevens moved to approve Chuck Mascella, Road Supt., and Mike Joyce, Zoning Inspector’s, attendance at a half day seminar at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, Independence, Ohio, on March 9, 2005, regarding storm water treatment which is free of charge.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

CLERK AUSTIN – TOWNSHIP FINANCIALS

 

Clerk Austin explained the Township Financials for the Year End 2004 and distributed financial reports to the Board and audience regarding her presentation.    Questions from the Board of Trustees and audience were answered by the Clerk.  The Clerk intends to prepare monthly financial reports for the Board’s review. 

 

2005-92.Mr. Stevens moved to approve advertising a Legal Notice for Chester

Township’s Financial Statement for the Year End 2004, for review by the public from

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, in the Office of the Township Clerk, in the Chesterland News on Wednesday, February 23, 2005.  Said Statement also posted at the Geauga West Library.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

Mr. Stevens updated the Board on his research into advertising with the yellow pages with SBC and Alltell.

 

Mrs. Mula requested the Board write to State Representative Matt Dolan regarding changing the legislation regarding internet auctions.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business before the Board, Mr. Stevens adjourned the meeting at 9:34 p.m.

 

                                                                                 Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

________________________________                 _______________________________

Charles R. Stevens, Chairman                                 Karen M. N. Austin, CPA, Clerk

 

 

 

________________________________                 _____________

Patricia M. Mula, Vice-chairwoman                       Approval Date

 

 

 

________________________________

James A. Montague, Trustee

 

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