MINUTES OF THE ROOTSTOWN TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES
March 25, 2008
The regular meeting of the Rootstown Township Trustees opened at 5:30 p.m. on March 25, 2008. Those in attendance were Trustees Diane Dillon, Bonnie Howe and David Armentrout, JoAnn Townend, Fiscal Officer, Chuck Palmer Darrell Stephens, and Julie Gonzales.
Resolution No. 2008-052 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by David Armentrout to accept the minutes of March 11, 2008. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The following calls were made for the month of February 2008:
| EMS | 38 |
| Fire | 15 |
| Car Accidents | 4 |
| Total | 57 |
| Mutual Aid: | |
| Given | 2 |
| Received | 10 |
Chief Palmer reported Justin has done a great job updating the web site. There is a lot of information for citizens to read regarding state laws about burning and properly disposing of junk.
The Fire Department conducted a walk through at the new St. Pete’s Church last week. This allows members to become familiar with different buildings within our community and meet their staff in case of an emergency.
The annual Confined Space Training will be held April 12th.
ROAD SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Darrell contacted Landmark regarding replacing the fuel tanks. The cost is $2,100.00 or $35.00/month for sixty (60) months. Landmark would maintain the pumps as long as we purchase the fuel from them. Darrell will get quotes on cement and fencing. Darrell gave a list of places that remove tanks to the Board. JoAnn said we would have to hire an environmental group to test the soil. Diane will check with Mark Hurst to see if he is qualified to pull fuel tanks.
The flag for the Veterans have been ordered for Memorial Day.
Darrell reported the tree company that trims the trees damaged a fire hydrant on Lynn road. Luli has been notified to repair it.
The road crew used Randolph Township’s grater to grade Lynn Road. Darrell will get quotes from the County Engineer to chip and seal that portion of Lynn Road as soon as the new prices are in for 2008.
Resolution No. 2008-053 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by David Armentrout to ask the County Engineer to prepare bid books for Sabin, Seifer, Nina and Moser Drives these road have been approved for Issue 2 money. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.
No news on the new truck.
The cost for scrap metal is $185.00-$210.00 per ton. JoAnn was unable to locate a weight on the title for the grater.
There were on funerals since the last meeting.
Darrell said Barb from the Lions Club contacted him asking permission to install a plaque on the stone in front of the cemetery. The Board said she could install the plaque.
Because of the mud, they are waiting to stake out the buildings at the cemetery. The easements have been marked.
Darrell contacted Enviro Chemical and their cost is $4,468.00 to purchase toilet roll dispensers to be installed at the park. He contacted Cintas and the cost is $4,162.00. These are the jumbo rolls. The Board agreed to purchase the toilet roll dispensers from Cintas.
Darrell will be getting quotes from Signs and Blanks and Short Cut Vinyl for signs to be installed at the park.
Darrell suggested changing the Employee Handbook regarding using compensation time to nine (9) months instead of six (6) months. JoAnn said the maximum you can accrue is 240 hours then you will be paid. Darrell said most of the crew would like to take their comp time in the summer. He will discuss it with the road crew.
Darrell suggested getting the carpet cleaned in the Town Hall. Diane will give him a name of a carpet cleaning company.
Diane said Mr. Elridge of Marks Avenue contacted him regarding the rental house next to him they have parties on the weekend and vehicles park in the road on both sides. Diane said the residents would like “no parking signs” installed.
Dave reported Shirley Riemenschneider has not found a trailer for the Portage County Bicentennial. Darrell suggested she contact Leppo’s.
RESIDENT COMMENTS
James Bierlair was present representing the Portage County Health District who is seeking endorsements of chargebacks to townships to avert a possible deficit, and support for the district’s upcoming levy campaign. The chargebacks would amount to $1.80 per resident. Mr. Bierlair said the health district has already made cutbacks, and might have to eliminate four positions if the chargebacks are not approved.
Public Hearing Zoning Commission Amendments 2008-001, 002, 003 and 004
Dave opened the meeting at 6:15 PM.
Zoning Amendment 2008-001 – Definition of Outdoor Furnace
The proposed amendment has been reviewed and approved by the Portage County Regional Planning Commission and by Chris Meduri, Portage County Prosecutor’s Office.
Resolution No. 2008-054 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to amend Zoning Amendment 2008-001 as presented by the Zoning Commission to the following:
OUTDOOR FURNACE: A unit located outside of a building or structure, used to produce heat and/or water for the building or structure.
Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.
Zoning Amendment 2008-002 – 310.03 Sch./Permitted Uses-add Outdoor Furnace
The proposed amendment has been reviewed and approved by the Portage County Regional Planning Commission and by Chris Meduri, Portage County Prosecutor’s Office.
Resolution No. 2008-055 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to amend 2008-002 Section 310.03 Schedule of Permitted Uses by adding “Outdoor Furnaces” . The Board agreed to send a letter to the Zoning Commission asking why they did not chose all districts versus the Zoning Commission’s recommendation limiting it in the O-C, R1 and R2 districts. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, nay, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.
Zoning Amendment 2008-003 – 310.09 Acc. Use Regs & 390.06 Supp. Regs
The proposed amendment has been reviewed and approved by the Portage County Regional Planning Commission and by Chris Meduri, Portage County Prosecutor’s Office.
Resolution No. 2008-056 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to add “O” in Section 310.09 to the following:
| O. | Outdoor Furnace. A unit designed to be placed outside on a base in which to produce heat and/or hot water for a primary or accessory building. See Section 390.04 and Section 390.06Q. |
And to add “Q” in Section 390.06 – Supplemental Regulations for Specific Uses
| Q. | Outdoor Furnace: a unit designed to be placed outside on a base in which to produce heat and/or water for a primary or accessory building:
|
Note the Trustees modified #5 of Section 390.06 Q that was proposed by the Zoning Commission.
Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.
Brian Munger of Biltz Road was present to express his concerns about the change in regulations. His lot is 150’ X 750’. According to the proposed amendment he would have to move his wood burner another 50’ inward, his furnace is only 25’ from his property line, it is 500’ from the nearest dwelling. He is concerned because he has $10,000 invested. He currently attended a meeting with State Representative Dryer. He has saved a lot of money in heating his home this winter. He was a little concerned when he was not able to obtain the proposed amendment from the Zoning Inspector last week. He said he was told they were not finalized. Mr. Unger has an independent study on outside wood burners and it compares to an inside wood burner pertaining to their capacity and odor. Burning wood does not add to the greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. He has a letter from Senator Tom Sawyer who is currently working with the EPA, a letter from State Representative Kathleen Chandler who contacted the EPA asking to extend it as well as Steven Dryer. The Board would be in favor of grandfathering any existing outdoor furnaces if it would be permitted by the State regulations. Any regulations adopted from the Board would go in effect within thirty (30) days.
Zoning Amendment 2008-004 – Sch. 390.04 Min. Req./Outdoor Furnace
The proposed amendment has been reviewed and approved by the Portage County Regional Planning Commission and by Chris Meduri, Portage County Prosecutor’s Office.
Resolution No. 2008-057 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to amend 2008-004 Schedule 390.04 Minimum Lot and Yard Requirements for Conditional Uses In Residential Districts by adding “Outdoor Furnace” as presented by the Zoning Commission.
| CONDITIONAL USE | Minimum Lot Specifications | Setback (ft) Specifications | Parking Setback (ft) | See also Section | |||
| OTHER | Area | Width | Front | Side/Rear | Front | Side/Rear | |
| 5. Outdoor Furnace | 1.5 ac. | 150 ft | NP | 70’ | NP | NP | 310.90 O & 390.06 Q |
Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.
The Public Hearing closed at 7:00 PM.
Resolution No. 2008-058 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to schedule a public hearing for the Zoning Amendments 2008-005 and 006 to be held on April 22, 2008 at 6:15 PM at the Town Hall. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The picnic tables that were being made by Maplewood Career Center students are completed.
The Trustees discussed the increase in the membership dues for the Regional Planning Commission. The increase is from 50 cents per resident to 75 cents. Dave encouraged the Trustees to support the increase. If the commission folds due to lack of funding, the township might have to pay more for planning services. Diane said she understands Regional Planning Commission has had a decrease in revenue and they are like any other business; they need to make adjustments internally. Bonnie agreed they should tighten its belt before seeking dues increase.
Resolution No. 2008-059 – Motion was made by David Armentrout to adopt the 2008 Regional Planning Commission membership increase from 50 cents to 75 cents per capita beginning January 2008 and running until either lowered or rescinded. This motion died due to a lack of a seconded.
Resolution No. 2008-060 - Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Bonnie Howe to oppose the 2008 increase in membership dues for the Regional Planning Commission. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, nay, Bonnie Howe, yea.
NEW BUSINESS
Bonnie gave the Trustees the financial summary for the Board of Health.
Dave spoke to Robin Patton of First Energy and there may be grants available for the park.
Dave suggested hiring a grants coordinator to seek grants for the Township. Dave suggested contacting the County to see if their new grants coordinator would be interested.
Dave suggested putting a blurb on the web site to see if residents were interested in curb side recycling.
Diane will get prices for port-o-potties for the park.
FISCAL OFFICER
JoAnn will be attending the Prosecutor’s Seminar Saturday from 8:30AM-11:00AM.
Diane suggested having a policy as to how to handle if an employee has used all their paid leave. We are still paying their health benefits but the employee isn’t getting paid. JoAnn will add this to the agenda for Board discussion.
Dave is interested in attending the 2008 Planning and Zoning Commissioner Workshop on May 9th in Akron.
Mr. Dillabough said there is a professor who lives up the street from him who may be interested in seeking grants for the Township. The Board agreed for Mr. Dillabough to ask him.
Resolution No. 2008-061 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to pay bills on file with the Fiscal Officer. Upon roll call all yeas and no nays.
Resolution No. 2008-062 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to move forward with the declaratory judgment proceedings with the Rootstown Water Company. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.
Diane will e-mail Chris Meduri tomorrow of this motion.
Resolution No. 2008-063 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Bonnie Howe that the Rootstown Township Trustees to move into executive session at 8:00 PM to discuss personnel issues. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.
Resolution No. 2008-064 - Upon conclusion of the above referenced discussion a motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Bonnie Howe that the Rootstown Township Trustees move out of executive session at 8:30 PM. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.
After exiting Executive Session, the Trustees took no action.
Resolution No. 2008-065 - Motion was made by Bonnie Howe to adjourn at 8:35 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Diane Dillon
Chairperson
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JoAnn Townend
Fiscal Officer