The Chester Township Board of Trustees met in regular session Thursday, April 7, 2005, in the Town Hall Meeting Room at 7:03 p.m. Chairman Charles R. Stevens, presided.

All trustees and the clerk present

PLEDGE

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

POWER OUTAGE

Mrs. Mula read a letter received from Mia Moore, Area Manager, for The Illuminating Company regarding the recent power outage due to the sudden snow storm over the past weekend.

PUBLIC INPUT/QUESTIONS

William Godale, Bill’s Auto Sales, was present to explain a survey which he had done of his property located at the corner of Mayfield Road and Valley View. Reference by Mr. Godale of his upcoming court case. The state issued a permit in Vermillion, Ohio, because the used auto sales lot was located on a State Route and overturned the city of Vermillion’s zoning.

Mrs. Mula noted for the record that she objects to Mr. Godale using township letterhead to circulate a petition to the public for input regarding a zoning matter.

CHAGRIN RIVER WATERSHED PARTNERS

Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells, Associate Director, Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Inc., distributed handouts and updated the Board on the Jaylin Amicus Brief and NPDES Phase II compliance. Reference to House Bill 148.

GORTZ & ASSOCIATES

Jeremy Iosue from Gortz & Associates explained their past services to Chester Township when Gortz & Associates wrote the Chester Township Policy Manual. He has reviewed the Policy Manual and presented information to the Board for a review to bring the manual up to date with any new laws. The cost for a full update to the manual would be $2,500.00; a drug and alcohol policy could be added during that review or for a separate cost. This matter tabled to the April 21, 2005, trustees meeting.

PASS COMMITTEE

Paul Lajeunesse, Co-Chair WG PASS, and Dr. Anthony Podojil, Superintendent of the West Geauga School District, presented levy information for the upcoming May 3, 2005, Election when the School District has a 3.93 mill emergency levy on the ballot.

TRUSTEE DISCUSSION

Mr. Stevens referenced a letter received from the County Commissioners requesting a representative from the Board of Trustees and the business community to attend the Community Impact Citizen’s Convention to be held at the West Geauga High School on Saturday, May 14, 2005, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mr. Stevens will represent the Board of Trustees. All trustees will get their suggestions to the Administrative Assistant for their choice for a representative from the business community.

Mr. Stevens read a letter received from Rebecca Schlag, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, regarding the status of property located at 9144 Mayfield Road.

2005-171. Mr. Stevens moved that the Board of Trustees put to a vote the declaration

to proceed with the removal, repair or securence of the building located at 9144 Mayfield Road, Chester Township, that it is insecure, unsafe or structurally defective according to Policy 1301, Appendix D, and the supporting letters from the Chesterland Fire Rescue and the Geauga Building Department and to give proper notification to the property owner. Mrs. Mula seconded. Roll call vote: Mr. Montague, yes; Mrs. Mula, yes; Mr. Stevens, yes. Motion passed.

The Board discussed the future development of the Chester Township North Park. Letters to be sent to the Chester Park District, the West Geauga Joint Recreation District Board and Mr. Al Parker to see if there is any interest and/or ideas for the development of this project from their respective boards.

Mr. Stevens read a letter from State Senator Grendell dated February 28, 2005, seeking the Board’s support of Senator Grendell regarding Senate Bill 78/House Bill 77. The Board concurred in sending said letter to Senator Grendell which Mr. Stevens will write.

Discussion ensued on sending a letter (questionnaire) to employees on direct deposit. Mr. Stevens explained the two different opinions, one from legal counsel and one from the State Auditors, on the matter direct deposit for Township employees. Options were discussed for the implementation of direct deposit which would satisfy both legal counsel and the auditors.

2005-172. Mr. Stevens moved to approve the letter to employees on direct deposit with modifications from the Clerk. Mrs. Mula seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

Discussion of Adelphia Communications compliance with franchise obligations. Mr. Montague looked into this issue and feels that Adelphia is complying with the contract as written but probably doesn’t include internet services just cable services. He said at this point, the Board’s only alternative is to renegotiate the contract with Adelphia to include getting paid for the Internet and other areas the Board may wish to include.

Discussion of the appointment of a Trustee and an alternate for the Chagrin River Watershed Partners was undertaken.

2005-173. Mrs. Mula moved to appoint Charlie Stevens as the Trustee and Patricia Mula as the Alternate to the Chagrin River Watershed Partners to represent Chester Township. Mr. Montague seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

Discussion of rescinding Board Motion 2005-27 regarding Township expenditures

without Board approval. This matter tabled to the meeting of April 21^st.

Discussion of setting a date for clean-up day for 2005. The Board will ask the Road Superintendent to investigate possible dates for this clean-up day for 2005. A possible date is Saturday, June 4, 2005.

Discussion of the Road Superintendent attending the APWA in Toledo, Ohio, May 16^th to the 20^th, 2005.

2005-174. Mr. Stevens moved to approve up to $480.00 payable to the Ohio Chapter of APWA, Westerville, Ohio, for the Road Superintendent’s attendance at the American Public Works Association Expo in Toledo, Ohio, on May 18 and 19, 2005, from appropriation #2031-330-599-0000. Mr. Montague moved. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2005-175. Mr. Stevens moved to approve the bids for various materials as recommended by the Road Superintendent and enter into contract with the selected companies and include the spreadsheet prepared by the Road Superintendent into the

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

Mr. Stevens read the recommendations of the Road Superintendent of the various materials.

2005-176. Mr. Stevens moved to approve up to $300.00 payable in $150.00

installments during the months of March and September, 2005, to all Road Department

full-time employees for the purpose of purchasing clothing needs. Mrs. Mula seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2005-177. Mr. Stevens moved to approve overtime for Zoning Inspector Mike Joyce for six hours for week ending April 8, 2005. Mrs. Mula seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

CLERK

2005-178. Mr. Stevens moved to approve and sign Purchase Order #28-2005 to

Treasurer of State, Columbus, Ohio, for partial progressive payment of $3,584.94 for audit of the combined financial statements of the township as of and for the period ended Dec., 2002, 2003 and 2004, from appropriation #1000-110-312-0000. Mrs. Mula seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2005-179. Mr. Stevens moved to approve and sign Purchase Order #30-2005 to TAC Computer, Oakwood Village, Ohio, for $6,924.00 for maintenance of rental of 8 Pentium computers from appropriation #2081-210-360-0000. Mr. Montague seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2005-180. Mr. Stevens moved to approve $5,775.00 payable to Mr. and Mrs.

Christopher Hanford, Chester Township, for necessary easement for the Sherman

Road paving project from appropriation #1000-110-599-0605. Mr. Montague seconded. Vote: Two in favor; one opposed. Motion passed.

2005-181. Mr. Stevens moved to approve and sign the easement document signed

by Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Hanford, Chester Township, for the purpose of improving

Sherman Road between Sperry Road and Heath Road and sign a letter that outlines the township’s position on this issue. Mr. Montague seconded. Vote: Two in favor; one abstention. Motion passed. Letter read by Mr. Stevens.

2005-182. Mr. Stevens moved to approve and sign Purchase Order #31-2005 to Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Hanford, Chester Township, $5,775.00 for necessary easement for the Sherman Road paving project from appropriation #1000-110-599-0605 and Voucher Warrant #46463. Mr. Montague seconded. Vote: Two in favor; one abstention. Motion passed.

2005-183. Mr. Stevens moved to approve and sign Payroll Warrants #PY 46432 through 46444; Voucher Warrants #VW 46445 through 46463. Mrs. Mula seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

Clerk’s Note: The ending # on 3-31-05 was 46431; the beginning # on 4-7-05 is 46432.

Discussion of opening a separate lock box for EMS billing. Mr. Nick Gattozzi, Jr. from Key Bank explained the fees associated with such an account.

2005-184. Mr. Stevens moved to instruct the Clerk to open a new stand alone lock box with KeyBank for the EMS collection and open this account with $1,000.00 from the Fire Department account, any costs associated with this account will be paid for with fire funds and the $1,000.00 will be paid back to the township fire fund when appropriate revenues allow. Mrs. Mula seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

2005-185. Mr. Stevens moved to approve and sign the Primary Bank Reconciliation

report for the period ending February 28, 2005. Mrs. Mula seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.

Mrs. Mula reported on the liquor control hearing which she and the Chief attended on April 6^th. There was no representation from Clark Gas Station; however, the County Commissioners and their legal counsel were in attendance at the hearing. A letter will be sent by the Board thanking the County Commissioners for their support of the Board of Trustees in this matter. The Board needs to object when the generic letters are received regarding all of the liquor permits being approved in October, 2005. A list will be provided by the Liquor Commission.

Resident Jeanette Baker, 12797 Opalocka Dr., expressed her concern over debris being burned at Monticello Nursery on Mayfield Road along with the grinding of mulch at the location. The Zoning Inspector will handle this matter.

Mrs. Mula asked that the Zoning Inspector Mike Joyce to review information regarding HB 23 from the Ohio Township Association and the regulation of adult entertainment establishments and report back to the Board of Trustees.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business before the Board, Mr. Stevens adjourned the meeting at 9:43 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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