The regular meeting of the Rootstown Township Trustees opened at 5:30 p.m. on June 26, 2007. Those in attendance were Trustees David Armentrout, Diane Dillon and Bonnie Howe. Fiscal Officer, JoAnn Townend, Darrell Stephens, Chief Palmer, Jim Mahood, Van Black, and Julie Carpenter.

Resolution No. 2007-095 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Bonnie Howe to accept the minutes of June 11, 2007. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

ZONING INSPECTOR’S REPORT

There were twelve (12) acts of business.

Jim drafted a letter for the Boards review to the Baker residents regarding an outline of items that need to be cleaned up at their residence on Broadway Street. The Board asked Jim to mail the letter.

Jim received several noise complaints from residents by the Firehouse Grill. Apparently, customers are going outside to smoke. Jim said the former Zoning Inspector mailed letters regarding noise beginning in the early 80’s when it was The View. Diane said new owners just purchased it approximately 9 months ago. The Board asked Jim to stop by and speak to the manager.

The Zoning Commission will be submitting a request to Regional Planning Commission seeking their definition of a single-family home. An amendment may be made to this definition. The Board suggested researching other Townships for their definition.

Diane asked Jim to print a list of the comparison of single-family structures built for this year and last year.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Chief Palmer reported the pump had to be repaired on pumper #2513. The sensor in the motor would not allow the pump to work properly.

Resolution No. 2007-096 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Bonnie Howe to repair the pump on the pumper #2513 in an amount not to exceed $2,122.63. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

For the month of May we received $3,140.12 from non-resident ambulance billing and billed $2,066.00. The total collection is $13,993.07 and the total billed is $17,060.00.

Chief Palmer will be out of town beginning Wednesday morning and returning Friday afternoon. Captain Duffy will be in charge. Bonnie received several calls regarding the “Sound Off” article in the Record-Courier Sunday regarding the Fire Station no longer having a siren. Chief Palmer said it hasn’t worked for almost ten (10) years. The siren was so old parts were no longer available. According to the former EMA director he recommended purchasing five or six sirens to place throughout the Township, these are very expensive to cover the whole community. He also said sirens are not very effective with the new homes being so well insulated. It would be much cheaper and more effective to purchase weather radios for each resident, but there is no guarantee residents would plug them in or install back up batteries. JoAnn said the phone notification system would be ready to go in July. Chief Palmer believes it would be more effective to use the Counties phone system as a way to notify our residents.

ROAD SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Darrell said four (4) contractors picked up bid books for the road improvement project.

Curtis Drive has been graded and Mr. Priest’s lawn has been extended and is ready to pave.

The flagpole has been removed.

We received the driving records for the road crew and everyone is valid. Darrell will keep them on file. These will be done annually.

Darrell gave the road crew the employee handbook and they have signed off on the form.

Darrell received complaints regarding high grass on Hattrick Road due to residents foreclosing on their homes. Darrell said there is nothing the Township can do.

Darrell is still in the process of getting State bids for the new truck.

There was one (1) cremation since the last meeting.

Rob Such will be completing the map of the cemetery by the next Board meeting.

The bench at the cemetery was removed and returned to the owner.

Darrell has been getting quotes for the new storage building at the cemetery. Dave said he would like to see specifications.

Dave said Darrell suggested to possibly blacktopping the cemetery roads in the future.

Diane informed Darrell the Park Committee said the trail at the park looks nice. The crew will be trimming some of the low hanging trees in that area.

Darrell said one of the benches at the Town Hall broke. Bonnie suggested getting a quote on purchasing a new one.

Resolution No. 2007-097 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by Diane Dillon to add the follow rules to the Homeland Cemetery rules and regulations:

• Winter decorations must be removed by the first Monday in April.
• Summer decorations must be removed by the first Monday after Labor Day.
• There will be no in ground planting that goes beyond, 12” oval of the grave marker or monument, excluding Section E which will be flat marker stones.

Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Dave received a call from a road crew worker asking if he needed authorization from the Trustees that he had his own business. According to our handbook – page 7 it states the Board needs to give written authorization. The Board agreed to have Julie send a letter stating the Trustees approve of his business as long as it doesn’t conflict with Township duties.

The Board reviewed the employee job descriptions.

Diane asked if Darrell heard from Dale regarding the pond. Darrell is preparing a survey with Water Resources.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

At the next Park Committee meeting they will be discussing playground equipment.

NEW BUSINESS

Dave will be out of town on July 11th and asked Diane if she would be available to attend the Regional Planning Commission meeting. Diane agreed to attend.

Dave received a letter from Gary Urchek from Hall-Green Agency, Inc. stating he would like to be included in the bidding process for health insurance. The Board agreed to keep our current health care provider (Burnham & Flowers) at this time. Julie will send a letter to Mr. Urchek.

The Board received a letter from Representative Stephen Dyer regarding H.B. 117 which is regarding cable and the revenue we receive.

Dave received a letter from Big Brothers & Big Sisters recruiting volunteers.

Dave attended the Storm Water Management meeting and we will need to be in compliance in 2008. He will keep us informed.

Bonnie said the Rootstown Civic Club is seeking another entity to maintain the sign in the center of town.

FISCAL OFFICER

JoAnn gave the Board the official letter for the mediation notice scheduled August 28th. Diane also invited Chuck Palmer to attend. The Board asked JoAnn to schedule a meeting with Chris Meduri prior to the mediation.

Resolution No. 2007-098 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by Diane Dillon to schedule a public hearing for the 2008 Tax Budget for Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at 5:15 PM at the Town Hall. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Resolution No. 2007-099 - Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by Dave Armentrout to pay bills on file with the Fiscal Officer. Upon roll call all yeas and no nays.

Dave spoke to a representative from Ohio Edison regarding installing a streetlight at the corner of Kenneth and St. Rt. 18. Within the next few weeks the streetlight is supposed to be installed.

Resolution No. 2007-100 - Motion was made by David Armentrout to adjourn at 7:00 PM.

Respectfully Submitted:

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David Armentrout
Chairman

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JoAnn Townend
Fiscal Officer