The Chester Township Board of Trustees met in regular session Thursday, August 25, 2005 in the Town Hall Meeting Room at 7:02 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.

 

PUBLIC INPUT/QUESTIONS

 

A question was asked about assets Joan Spellman might have that were being held at the prosecutor’s office.  Chairman Stevens stated that he, nor any member of the board , could speak for the prosecutor’s office.  He stated that there were statements made by Mrs. Spellman’s attorney at her hearing.  The Board of Trustees would receive anything that the prosecutor is holding at final disposition of the case.  The Board of Trustees has been lead to believe the total of the items are not substandial.

 

TRUSTEE DISCUSSION

 

2005-457    Mr. Stevens moved to approve payment to Nels E. Nelson, Labor Arbitrator,

P.O.Box 285, Novelty, OH 44072 in the amount of $1,378.97, out of appropriation

#2081-210-599-0000.  Note:  The Police Union split the cost of arbitration, total billing of $2,757.93.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-458    Mr. Stevens moved to approve up to $350.00 to advertise the October 12,

2005  “Stormwater, Phase II and You” program in a ½ page ad in the Chesterland News on September 29th and October 5th.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-459    Mr. Stevens moved to approve moving the Chester Township Trustees

scheduled meeting from Thursday, September 1, 2005 to Tuesday, August 30th, 2005

starting at 3:30 p.m.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-460  Mr. Stevens moved to approve advertising in the Chesterland News on September 7th and 14th for candidates wishing to serve a three year term on the Chester Township Internal Audit Committee, a new term starting October 1, 2005.  (current term of Edward Alpern expires September 30, 2005).   It was agreed by the Board to write Mr. Alpern a letter stating that it was the policy of the board to advertise for candidates, but the Board would encourage him to reapply.   Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote: Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

The question was brought up as to whether the Board was going to re-evaluate which trustee would sit on the Internal Audit Committee board beginning October 1, 2005.

Mr. Stevens stated that he was going to put it on the agenda at a later meeting in September.

 

2005-461   Mr. Stevens moved to approve issuing a Proclamation recognizing Eagle Scout John O’Donnell as an exemplary citizen of our community.  Mrs. Mula seconded.

Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.  Mr. Stevens offered to attend the Eagle Scout award ceremony and present the Proclamation.

 

 

 

 

 

CLERK’S FOLDER

 

2005-462   Mr. Stevens moved to approve Purchase Order #92-2005 to Phillip Cavasinni, 13480 Shady Lane, Chesterland, OH 44026 for $1,795.20 for 80 hours of

vacation time @ $22.44 an hour, out of appropriation # 2081-210-599-0500.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-463   Mr. Stevens moved to void Purchase Order # 92-2005 based on the Clerk’s explanation that this check was a line item under wages.  The Police Department wanted it under “other salaries” vs. their regular salary.  This means no purchase order is necessary as it is a line item under wages which is a direct expense.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-464   Mr. Stevens moved to approve Purchase Order # 93-2005 to Aero-Mark, Inc., 10423 Danner Drive, Streetsboro, OH 44241 for $6,350.00 for the striping of various township roads, out of appropriation # 2031-330-360-0000.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-465   Mr. Stevens moved to approve Purchase Order # 94-2005 to Ontario Stone Corporation, 34301 Chardon Road, Suite 5, Willoughby, OH 44094 for $6,000.00 for various types of limestone, out of appropriation # 2031-330-490-0000.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-466   Mr. Stevens moved to approve a Then and Now Purchase Order #95-2005 to Schloss Paving Co., 13700 McCracken Rd., Cleveland, OH 44125 for $224,962.77 for the Cement Stabilization & Asphalt Paving of Sherman Rd., Contract CHE-RC97D-05, out of appropriation #4301-760-790-9000 the amount of $159,131.77; out of appropriation #1000-110-599-0605 the amount of $65,831.00 per resolution 2004-404 and resolution 2004-405.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-467   Mr. Stevens moved to void Voucher Warrant #47692 to the Geauga County Maple Leaf for $102.00, appropriation #1000-110-599-0100 as this was a duplicate billing, and paid twice.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-468   Mr. Stevens moved to approve Voucher Warrants # 47787 to # 47831 excluding VW # 47820.

 

2005-469   Mr. Stevens moved to void VW # 47820 for $2,500.00 to Joseph Orosz as it  was felt that Chief Orosz should be reimbursed as the receipts come in, in regards to the seminar he plans on attending September 24 to 28th.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

Clerk’s note:  the last PY number on 8-18-05 was #47786, the beginning number on

8-25-05 is VW # 47787.

 

2005-470   Mr. Stevens moved to approve a letter written by Mrs. Mula thanking Barbara Ianiro for her services to Chester Township.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

A question was raised as to the striping of Wilson Mills Road – had it been done incorrectly by the County?  Mr. Stevens stated that he had discussed it with the road superintendent, but he had not yet got out there to look at the road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A question was raised on a $20,000 invoice to Ford Motor Credit.  It was explained that this was a lease-buy program for three or four police cars and paid twice a year.  At the end of three years, we own the vehicles.

 

Clerk Karen Austin wished to bring before the Board that there has been a breach of our policy as to public records review.  Chester Township does have a policy in the Personnel Manual, Category 1400, Copying of Public Records.  The Clerk read the memo she had presented to the Board and asked that in the future that Chester Township’s Policy in reviewing Public Records be followed.

 

The Clerk  brought to the attention of the Board that we did receive a letter from Frank Gates, a Workers’ Compensation Company stating that for the tax year 2006, Chester Township will not qualify for the Workers’ Compensation program.  We did not qualify  in 2005 either. The company also stated that they would manage our Workers’ Compensation for the year for $3,262.00.  The Board of Trustees decided to talk about it at a later meeting.

 

The Clerk  brought up the budget hearing that Trustee Pat Mula attended while the Clerk was on vacation.  A question was raised as to our first Certificate of Estimated Resources.  It was reported that the total was $5,764,265.40 without the three renewals that we have in the November election.  The Budget Commission did see the need of the Police and Fire renewal levies and also the Road and Bridge replacement levy.  They were not aware that we had changed that levy to a renewal.

 

Mrs. Mula brought up that she had attended the Chester Park District’s budget hearing also.  She stated that the Park District had included in their budget $30,000 to be received from the township in 2006.  It was discussed by the Board, but the Board had not made a resolution to this date to give the park district any money, to Mrs. Mula’s recollection.  The Clerk stated that as of this date, only discussion has been had and no resolution has been passed.

 

The Clerk then reported on the Auditor of State’s  Audit Report and Management Letter for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004 discussing the citations and the recommendations

Questions from those in attendance were discussed.

 

Chairman Stevens noted that the next meeting will be held Tuesday, 30th at 3:30 p.m.  rather than the regularly scheduled meeting Thursday, September 1st.  On the agenda will be an executive session with the Road Superintendent on pending union negotiations;  discussion on update to Chester Township Personnel Policy Manual;   an Oil and Gas well resident letter; a draft for computer equipment and the apartment rental.

 

 

MINUTES

 

A tape recording of this meeting is kept at the Township Hall and is available upon request.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business before the Board, Mr. Stevens adjourned the meeting at 8:52 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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