Minutes of the Meeting of the Rootstown Township Trustees,
MAY 9, 2006

The regular meeting of the Rootstown Township Trustees opened at 5:30 p.m. on May 9, 2006. Those in attendance were Trustees Bonnie Howe, David Armentrout and Diane Dillon, JoAnn Townend, Fiscal Officer, Darrell Stephens, Jim Mahood, Van Black and Julie Carpenter.

Resolution No. 2006-095 - Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to accept the minutes of April 25, 2006 with changes. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea; David Armentrout, yea; Diane Dillon, yea.

ROAD SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

The County installed several culvert pipes in Ravenna Development which is funded through Issue 2. Darrell requested a letter be sent to the County Engineer for the status of the bid books. After the bid books are completed we can advertise.

We still haven’t received the estimated cost for Baronwood Development from the County Engineer. It is due June 2nd. Darrell will contact Scott Miller.

The County still hasn’t surveyed Curtis Street.

Al Mellott contacted Darrell he will be inspecting the new development (Heron Creek fka Breakneck Acres) that is being built on Tallmadge Road.

JoAnn gave Darrell a cost analysis for gas and diesel. Darrell suggested switching the company who maintains the pumps. JoAnn will get Darrell several companies the County deals with.

All the equipment is running good.

There were two (2) funerals since the last meeting and one more tomorrow.

The foundations have been poured at the cemetery.

Darrell reported several problems with the guys who are mowing the cemetery and park. They haven’t been mowing as often as needed and they are not trimming properly. He will talk to them.

Darrell asked the status of the park survey. Diane will contact the Park Committee. The crew would be removing the old tires at the park. The Board discussed installing new playground equipment at the park.

Mr. Bob Park, Scout Master #3556-Rootstown and Eagle candidate David Park presented a proposed sign for the entrance of Gracie Field. The sign would be five (5) feet high. The materials needed are cedar planking and treated lumber. The Board suggested removing the icons (sports) on the sign and to only include verbiage. Mr. Park would also like approval to place a sign across the street. The Board suggested he contact Mickey Marozzi, County Engineer. The road crew will remove the old sign.

Mr. Bill Short, Shorts Funeral Home was present to discuss concerns with the Township rules and regulations for Homeland Cemetery.

Mr. Short said the Township is guaranteed to receive their money because the funds come from the funeral home. Darrell said there are people who may have lived in Rootstown for 60 years; relocated or are in an assisted living facility for several years and request to be buried in Rootstown. Mr. Short said the Township presale costs more than if you purchase it when you need it. Mr. Short suggested having a fee for former resident. Plotting a section of the cemetery for cremation would limit the size of the graves.

JoAnn presented the Trustees the contract for Allstar Windows for the installation of windows at the Town Hall for signature. Dave still hasn’t received a quote from Bruce Spurling. Dave will contact Allstar Windows to discuss the window grids. The Trustees decided to proceed with the contract.

Darrell will be taking some compensation time now through May 20th.

ZONING INSPECTOR’S REPORT

There were 7 acts of business.

Jim reported the resident on Jay Street (Nedra Shekerko) has removed the cage. The vehicles still are not tagged and according to the letter from the Prosecutor’s Office they have ten (10) days from the date the letter was sent. The Board asked Jim to contact Chris Meduri for the next step.

Jim found no discussion in the minutes regarding the zoning application refund to Gerald Spahr from June 2003. The Board agreed that there would be no action on this issue.

Jim changed the sign at the Town Hall listing clean-up day. Darrell is getting a list of items that will be accepted from Solid Waste.

Bonnie said Jim Billock asked what stipulations were enforced when the restaurant on State Route 44 and Sandy Lake Road was originally built; such as hours of operation and if they were required to install a light buffer. Jim said he would check. The Township does not issue liquor permits; these come from the State.

Bonnie said the Casamento family (who live in the old Miller home) on Tallmadge Road was asking if Hilltop could re-open. Because the business has been vacated longer than two (2) years it has gone back to residential.

Diane said the Langes (who live on Sandy Lake Road) thought they recalled the developer of Wintergreen Development saying he would install tree buffers between the houses. Jim said he recalled the developer offering to plant trees.

The Drennen hearing scheduled May 8th was postponed because Mr. Drennen’s attorney did not show. The court assured the Board it would be scheduled within the next three (3) weeks. Jim took more pictures and the property does look a lot better. There were several items he claimed were for his personnel use and not for his business.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Diane requested to re-visit Jim Mahood’s hours. She feels uncomfortable with the resolution previously adopted. Dave said we limited him to 28 hours per week and then we changed it to 1500 hours per year. Diane said what if Jim accumulates 1500 hours in the spring, summer and fall; his hours are exhausted by winter then we have no Zoning Inspector or if he decides to quit. Dave’s biggest concern is meeting the obligation to our community. Dave said it would be slower in the fall and winter season. Bonnie suggested closing one day a week.

Resolution No. 2006-096 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Bonnie Howe to modify Jim Mahood, Zoning Inspector’s hours to the following: Monday and Friday – 10:00 AM –4:00 PM, Tuesday and Thursday – 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, closed on Wednesdays effective May 15, 2006. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea; David Armentrout, nay; Diane Dillon, yea.

Bonnie said if these hours are not accommodating to the resident we could always amend the resolution. Dave strongly disagrees with this motion.

Dave presented the Board the final draft of the Storm Water Task Force. Their goal is have something in place by 2008 because of the mandate by the Federal government.

FISCAL OFFICER

Resolution No. 2006-097 - Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by David Armentrout to pay bills on file with the clerk. Upon roll call all yeas and no nays.

Resolution No. 2006-098 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to approve the notice from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control requesting a completion of the form regarding the request from Joann Jones dba Mojos Grille, 4260 SR 44, Suite F, in Rootstown for a new liquor license, the Township Trustees authorized the Fiscal Officer to sign the notice to agree not to request a hearing. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea; David Armentrout, yea; Diane Dillon, yea.

JoAnn said she received correspondence from the Ohio Public Works Commission-District 7 Township regarding the election of the Local Integrating Committee. The Board agreed to nominate JJ Leet, Freedom Township and Rebecca Carter, Randolph Township.

According to the Regional Planning Commission the Township has forty-five (45) unused unobligated hours as of April 1, 2006. We have used five (5) hours.

JoAnn presented the Board the Solid Waste Plan Update for their review. The Township is required to adopt a resolution by July 25th. This plan needs to be ratified within ninety (90) days.

Resolution No. 2006-099 - Motion was made by Bonnie Howe to adjourn at 7:25 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

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Bonnie Howe
Chairperson

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JoAnn Townend
Fiscal Officer