The Chester Township Board of Trustees met in regular
session Thursday, August 11, 2005,
in the Town Hall Meeting Room at 7:00 p.m. Chairman Charles R.
Stevens, presided. All Trustees and Clerk were present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PUBLIC
INPUT/QUESTIONS
Mr. William Godale handed
out copies of a newspaper article regarding the towing of cars. Mr. Godale
stated that he felt the zoning inspector wrongfully interpreted the zoning
resolution on towing in Chester. He further stated that he tows his own cars
and he usually does not tow for the public. He feels he has commercial property and
should be allowed to earn a living. He further referred to the definition of an
auto supply store which has the right to repair cars and tow them, and felt he
could qualify under that category.
Mrs. Mula stated that the
township has acted under the advice of counsel and the Court order.
TRUSTEES’ DISCUSSION
Continued discussion on the road department levy. Mrs. Stevens
stated that he would like the township to put on a renewal levy rather than a
replacement levy. He further stated that he realizes that the
road department needs the extra dollars, but he feels that they should go for a
new levy next year.
Mrs. Mula’s concerns were
that the road department would not have enough money to operate next year. She further stated that if the percentage of medical insurance that is paid out of the
general fund is brought up to the same as the police department’s
percentage, as she feels it should be,
the road department will not have enough money to operate until the end of the
year.
Mr. Montague stated that he
feels he has to go along with the renewal levy as the road superintendent is
concerned with losing the levy this year. He further stated that he feels that the road
department really needs the money, but he has to go along with the road superintendent’s wishes.
The pros and cons of putting on a “continuing” levy were
discussed.
2005-441
Mr. Stevens moved
to rescind Motion 2005-407, the road replacement levy.
Mrs. Mula seconded. Roll call vote: Montague, yes; Mrs.
Mula, yes; Mr. Stevens, yes.
Motion passed.
2005-442
Mr. Stevens moved
to approve a Certificate of Need to be submitted to the
Geauga County Auditor’s Office for a road and bridge levy at
a rate of 1.5 mills for five years, which levy
is a renewal levy of 1.5 mills. Mrs. Mula
seconded.
Roll call vote:
Mr. Montague, yes; Mrs.
Mula, yes; Mr. Stevens, yes.
Motion passed
Discussion on updates to the Personnel Policy Manual
continued.
Recommendations were asked of the Board members. At the next Board meeting, department heads
will also be asked to give their opinions. It is hoped that the changes to the Personnel
Policy Manuel will get approved quickly. This will enable the Township to be in
compliance with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Phase One which needs this
in place by the end of September.
A discussion was held regarding a “draft” letter to the
Electolite Company regarding their coming onto township property, without
permission, to do repair work, and in the process of doing that work, there decision
to cut down a tree. The letter further explained that Electolite
must have an advance directive from the Board and/or a department head prior to
doing any work for the township. The
Board feels Electolite should consider replacing the tree.
2005-443 Mr.
Stevens moved to approve and sign a letter to Electolite regarding work
performed in front of the Chester Town
Hall. Mrs. Mula
seconded.
Vote: Unanimous.
Motion passed.
The proof of the township’s newsletter was discussed. The Fire Department has submitted an article
which will be included. Other minor changes and corrections were
discussed.
The rental apartment at 8568
Mayfield Road was discussed. The tenant has given the township written
notice that she will be moving out on September 16th.
2005-444 Mr. Stevens
moved to approve the running of an advertisement in the
Chesterland News on August 24th and 31st
for the rental property at 8568 Mayfield Rd. Mrs. Mula
seconded.
Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.
2005-445 Mr.
Stevens moved to approve Purchase Order #89-2005 to Concord
Road
Equipment Mfg.,
Inc., P.O.
Box 772, Painesville, OH
44077 for $7,350.00
for a Bonnell Model 11 SP42MX1 High
Country Snowplow from Appropriation Account #2031-760-740-0000, Mrs. Mula
seconded.
Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.
2005-446 Mr.
Stevens moved to void Purchase Order #90-2005 due to using an incorrect
appropriation number. Mrs. Mula
seconded.
Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.
2005-447 Mr.
Stevens moved to reissue Purchase Order #91-2005 to Communications Services, 250
Fairgrounds Rd., Painesville,
OH 44077
for $2,900.00 for four radios to upgrade to Geauga
County’s Series II Radio Network
from Appropriation Account #2081-760-740-0000.
Mrs.
Mula seconded. Vote:
Unanimous. Motion passed.
2005-448 Mr.
Stevens moved to approve Voucher Warrants # 47689 through #47739. Mrs. Mula
seconded.
Vote: Unanimous. Motion passed.
Clerk’s Note: The
last payroll warrant on 8-4-05
was # 47688 and the beginning number on 8-11-05 is Voucher Warrant #47689.
MINUTES
A tape recording of this meeting is kept at the Township
Hall and is available upon request.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Board the
meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
____________________________ ___________________________
Charles R. Stevens,
Chairman Karen M.
N. Austin, CPA, Clerk
_____________________________ ______________________
Patricia M. Mula,
Vice-chairwomen Approval
Date
_____________________________
James A. Montague, Trustee