The regular meeting of the Rootstown Township Trustees opened at 5:30 p.m. on November 25, 2008. Those in attendance were Trustees Diane Dillon, Bonnie Howe and David Armentrout, Fiscal Officer, JoAnn Townend, Darrell Stephens, Jim Mahood, Van Black and Julie Gonzales.

Resolution No. 2008-217 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by David Armentrout to accept the minutes of November 13, 2008. Upon roll call the vote was as follows: Diane Dillon, abstained, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

ROAD SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

5:35 PM – Opening of Bids for Rootstown Township Sanitary Sewer & Cook Road Force Main Project

JoAnn opened the following bids:

Bochert Excavating	$ 39,000.00
Rootstown Excavating	$ 68,515.00
Hirst Construction	$ 36,737.00
JL Construction Excavating Svc. Co.	$ 50,822.31

JoAnn will send the lowest bid to the Prosecutor’s Office for review.

The Issue 2 has been sent to the State. The Request to Proceed Form will be done at a later date.

Darrell asked that a letter be sent to the County Engineer requesting to begin the bid process for Lakewood Estates.

The values on the tanks have been installed. Dale Miller will be organizing the project.

The signs at the Recycling site on New Milford Road have been installed.

Darrell and Diane suggested sending a letter to the residents who live in developments that are not dedicated that the Township will not be plowing their road as they are not yet Township road.

Darrell reported the new truck broke down the first day we had it. The water pump seized but has been repaired.

There were two (2) cremations since the last meeting.

Park

• They were shorted a few borders at the park.

• The trees have been installed.

• The signs around the pond and on the gate have been installed.

Darrell said they are still having problems with their cell phones. He has been trying for months to try to get this resolved. Bonnie e-mailed the representative several times with no response. Diane said Chuck is also having problems with their phones. JoAnn will give Chuck a contact person and phone number.

The Board agreed for Darrell to remove the big tire. Darrell said they could cut it up to dispose of it.

ZONING DEPARTMENT

There were three (3) acts of business.

Jim gave the Board a copy of a letter from the Prosecutor’s Office regarding the Portage Salt Supply vs. Zoning Board of Appeals (Case No. 06-CV00921). Dave said the magistrate ruled against the Township and Chris Meduri sent it to Judge Pittman and she may have a finding.

The GPS has been installed.

Jim said Giant Eagle is not installing a Get Go gas station at this time. They are only expanding their store.

Dave and Jim attended a meeting with the new owners of General Aluminum (formerly FSI). They currently have 100 employees and once jobs are available they will be hiring more.

Resolution No. 2008-218 - Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe for the Rootstown Township Trustees to move into executive session at 6:10 PM to discuss personnel issues with Jim Mahood and Van Black, Zoning Department. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Resolution No. 2008-219 - 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 6:30 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.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Diane presented the Board with the 2008 Operating Budget Line Item Breakdown.

Diane spoke to Tom of TRZ regarding the agreement for the Township first alert notification system for residents. Chuck is still in the process of tabulating the data.

The Board agreed to move the board meeting scheduled Tuesday, December 23rd to Monday, December 29th at 5:00 PM at the Townhall.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Resolution No. 2008-220 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Bonnie Howe to donate the following:

• $100.00 gift card to Ken Christensen for help planting the trees at the park.
• $25.00 gift card to Shirley Riemenschneider for her time serving on the Portage County Bicentennial Committee.
• $25.00 gift card to Paul Galido for his time serving on the Portage County Bicentennial Committee.
• $25.00 gift card to Bill Hahn for his time serving on the Rootstown Township Park Committee.
• $25.00 gift card to Merrill Groom for his time serving on the Rootstown Township Park Committee.
• $50.00 gift card to Mary Ann Greer and her mother Irene Ricks for their time spent on making a block in the quilt for the Portage County Bicentennial.

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

Diane said the permit for the pavilion at the park has been approved.

Dave asked Diane for her input regarding Cedar Valley Energy drilling on Township property. Diane said at 1/8 of a share she is not interested in gas royalties the Board agreed.

RESIDENT COMMENTS

JoAnn said the tenant has informed the Board he will be moving effective December 15, 2008. He will bring the keys and December’s rent to the next Board meeting (December 9th).

NEW BUSINESS

The Board discussed wage increases for Township employees.

Resolution No. 2008-221 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to give a 2% wage increase to the Road, Zoning and Fire Department effective the first pay in January 2009. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Dave said he will talk to Joe, Mark Hirst and Darrell regarding the sewer project issue.

The Board received a letter from LNE Group regarding federal grant money that may be available. David will contact the representative to schedule a meeting.

FISCAL OFFICER

Resolution No. 2008-222 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by David Armentrout to pay bills on file with the Fiscal Officer. Upon roll call all yeas and no nays.

Resolution No. 2008-223 - Motion was made by Diane Dillon to adjourn at 7:15 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

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Bonnie Howe
Chairperson

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JoAnn Townend
Fiscal Officer