Minutes of the Meeting of the Rootstown Township Trustees,
October 24, 2006The regular meeting of the Rootstown Township Trustees opened at 5:30 p.m. on October 24, 2006. Those in attendance were Trustees Bonnie Howe, Diane Dillon and David Armentrout, JoAnn Townend, Darrell Stephens, Jim Mahood, Van Black and Julie Carpenter.
Resolution No. 2006-185 - Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by David Armentrout to accept the minutes of October 10, 2006. Upon roll call the vote was as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea; Diane Dillon, yea; David Armentrout, yea.
ROAD SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Ravenna Development is almost paved. Darrell asked if there was ever discussion of installing streetlights in that development. Dave said the neighborhood has never petitioned to have streetlights installed.
Darrell said a resident who lives on Marks Avenue contacted him to see if the Township had any recourse regarding flooding. The previous owner installed clay tile catch basins and covered the ditch. The Board agreed there is nothing the Township is allowed to do.
Darrell will be taking inventory of the road signs.
Darrell said when they met with OTARMA they presented a sign inventory form that needs to be completed monthly. They will begin using this form November 1st.
Resolution No. 2006-186 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to authorize the purchase of reflective jackets for the road crew in an amount not to exceed $300.00. Upon roll call the vote was as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea; Diane Dillon, yea; David Armentrout, yea.
Darrell reported a resident who lives on Broadway has been parking in the roadway. There are five or six vehicles that are not licensed in his driveway. Jim Mahood has sent several violation letters and they are always returned. The Board agreed to post “no parking” signs and then tow the vehicles if needed.
The water pump on the F-450 dump truck has been replaced. They will be welding a sheet of metal in the bed of the 1997 dump truck.
Darrell received another quote for fence from A Sweet New Look, Inc. The price for aluminum is $10,328.95 and vinyl is $13,841.46. Darrell said this price is approximately $5,000.00 higher than the other bid. Darrell will present all the bids to the Board at the next meeting.
There were 3 funerals since the last meeting.
The road crew will be winterizing the restrooms at the park.
Darrell said we would need to hire someone to open and close the park for next year.
Dave gathered the following information from local cemeteries for the Boards consideration.
- Some cemeteries are placing up to three (3) cremated remains on an adult lot. Dave said our current policy is two (2). He suggested adding, “The Trustees shall authorize up to three (3) crematory burials on an existing lot.
- In the Township Magazine it describes “indigent funerals” effective October 2006 if a family member cannot afford a burial the Ohio state law changed its policy – the Township shall be able to dictate the method of disposition of indigent funeral burials.
- In Section 22 of the policy states, “The Funeral Director shall be responsible for opening and/or purchasing a grave shall be responsible for payment of both the grave and opening fees.” Dave suggested eliminating this rule.
ZONING INSPECTOR’S REPORT
There were 4 acts of business.
Jim will meet with Chris Meduri, Portage County Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday to complete the paperwork for the warrant for Charles Mehl’s buildings. Jim informed Chris that we are only inspecting his outbuildings.
Zone Pro e-mailed Jim a copy of the manual. He copied it onto a cd and it is located in the Zoning Office.
The Zoning Office will be closed on Friday; Jim and Dave will be attending a seminar in Cleveland.
Resolution No. 2006-187 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to schedule a public hearing on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 at 6:30 PM at the Town Hall for zoning amendment 2006-004 for a re-zoning request. Upon roll call the vote was as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea; Diane Dillon, yea; David Armentrout, yea.
The notice regarding vacancies on the Zoning Commission and the Zoning Board Appeals was posted in the newspaper today.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Chief was absent because he was attending the Countywide Fire District Informational meeting. Diane presented the following report.
The Fire Department received $8,000.00 from the State of Ohio for EMS grant. The money will be used for paramedic training or equipment.
The insurance audit has been completed. They are currently reviewing the SOG’s.
All three (3) candidates for the full-time jobs have passed their medical physicals. Chief Palmer is currently in the process of scheduling their mental evaluations.
New Business
Diane presented to the Board a letter for their approval from the Park and Recreation Committee to be passed out at the Community Awareness Day.
Dave presented, to the Board, for their review forms OTARMA suggested using. (Safety Policy, Citizen Complaint Form, Preventive Maintenance Record, Playground Inspection Form, General Driving Rules & Regulations and Hold Harmless Agreement).
Dave authorized Crystal Roberts from Soil & Water Conservation the use of the Townships GPS unit.
The streetlight at the park has been installed. They will also be installing them at Lexington and Rootstown Road and Stoneridge and Tallmadge Road. They should be installed in four (4) to Six (6) weeks.
Dave contacted the Ohio Gas Protection Services regarding our request several months ago for the gas well to be fenced in on Rootstown Road.
Dave contacted the engineer in Pittsburgh regarding repairing the railroad on Lynn Road.
Dave presented the Board a booklet of training videos from OTARMA that we could purchase. They suggested documenting a once year training on safety.
Dave spoke to Mr. Charles Mehl regarding the procedures that will be taken place when his property is inspected. He has done some improvements to the property but feels more can be done for safety and health concerns.
The Board will be hosting the Portage County Township Association Meeting on November 18th.
FISCAL OFFICER
In response to the October 18, 2006 Notice from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control for a transfer of liquor license from Billocks Inc. to Sinaloa Ltd. Dba Acapulco Mexican Grill, 4914 SR 44, Rootstown Township, the Rootstown Township Board of Trustees will not request a hearing because there have been no incidents.
Resolution No. 2006-188 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to accept the amounts and rates determined by the Budget Commission for Budget Year 2007. Upon roll call the vote was as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea; Diane Dillon, yea; David Armentrout, yea.
Resolution No. 2006-189 - Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by David Armentrout to pay bills on file with the Fiscal Officer. Upon roll call all yeas and no nays.
JoAnn received the contract from the State which approved our choices of auditing firms, but they have not contacted her to schedule the audit.
Resolution No. 2006-190 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to request Ohio Edison to install a streetlight at the corner of Broadway and Sandy Lake Road, Rootstown Township in a cost not to exceed $600.00. Upon roll call the vote was as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea; Diane Dillon, yea; David Armentrout, yea.
Resolution No. 2006-191 - Motion was made by Bonnie Howe to adjourn at 7:00 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
_________________________________
Bonnie Howe
Chairperson__________________________________
JoAnn Townend
Fiscal Officer