The regular meeting of the Rootstown Township Trustees opened at 5:30 p.m. on December 8, 2009. Those in attendance were Trustees Bonnie Howe, Diane Dillon and David Armentrout, JoAnn Townend, Fiscal Officer, Darrell Stephens, Jim Mahood, Van Black and Julie Gonzales.

Resolution No. 2009-235 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to accept the minutes of November 24, 2009. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

ROAD SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

The Driving Abstract forms have been completed. Diane will notarize them and give them to JoAnn to process.

Mary Ann Greer contacted Darrell regarding the tree on her property that either needs to be removed or trimmed at the corner of Bower and Kline Roads. Mrs. Greer is going to discuss it with her husband and let Darrell know.

They will be replacing several culvert pipes on Camp Road.

Darrell had to get his truck repaired at Repair That Glass.

The exhaust and gas tank straps on the old fire truck were replaced.

Resolution No. 2009-236 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to purchase six (6) safety kits to be placed in all four (4) of the trucks and two (2) backhoes in an amount not to exceed $50.00/per kit as recommended by Storm Water Task Force. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

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

The Road Department will be attending the annual Randolph Township Christmas Party on Friday, December 11th weather permitting.

The Road Department will be attending the Eastern Ohio Utilities “Call Before You Dig” Seminar Thursday, weather permitting.

Darrell received the bridge report from the Portage County Engineer’s Office.

ZONING INSPECTOR REPORT

Van reported there were seven (7) acts of business. The Board acknowledged receipt of a letter from Chris Meduri, Portage County Prosecutor’s Office regarding Mr. John Dennings property located at Rosalind Drive and Tallmadge Road.

Jim gave the Board a summary of the permits issued in 2009.

Jim requested pre-stamped envelopes for use of the Zoning and Road Departments.

Resolution No. 2009-237 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to accept with regret the resignation of Paul Galido of the Rootstown Zoning Commission effective December 8, 2009. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT

Diane Dillon reported the following:

The employees at the fire station have been busy installing lock boxes and the file for life medical information packet for residents.

Diane reported the results for the physiological evaluations are completed. The decision was based on the results of three (3) sets of tests which were:

1. Interview by non-Rootstown fire chiefs
2. Equipment test
3. Psychological evaluations

Based upon these evaluations; the Board agreed to adopt the following resolution:

Resolution No. 2009-238 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by David Armentrout upon the recommendation of Chief Palmer to change the positions of the following employees:

1. Jeff Tyler, Marty Jenior and Jim Feigert as Captain
2. Mike Leigh and Justin Meonske as Lieutenants

These positions will be effective January 1, 2010. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

They are in the process of reviewing the SOG’s.

RESIDENTS

Mike Riley of the Hot Stove was present to thank the Trustees and Darrell for the last couple of seasons. Mr. Riley asked if the gate at Case Avenue was going to be locked permanently. He still needs to get into the park. The Board suggested he contact Darrell for a key.

FISCAL OFFICER

Resolution No. 2009-239 - Motion by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to pay bills on file with the Fiscal Officer. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

JoAnn presented an invoice for the 2010 dues for Portage County Regional Planning Commission in an amount of $5,700.00. JoAnn said in the past the Township has paid it in quarters. Dave said since they are in desperate need of money and may have to furlough their employees he thinks the Township should pay the full amount this year. Diane and Bonnie agreed that only the first quarter should be paid at this time.

Resolution No. 2009-240 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Bonnie Howe to pay the first quarter 2010 dues for the Portage County Regional Planning Commission in an amount not to exceed $1,425.00. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, abstained, Diane Dillon, yea.

Dave received a verbal legal opinion from Chris Meduri regarding the Township being responsible for maintaining the sidewalks. Mr. Meduri said the Township has no legal obligation to maintain sidewalks. Dave will contact the citizen (Carrie Rousch) who was questioning the Board.

Dave spoke to Linda Paulus regarding the Township’s portion that was to be printed in the Communicator Newsletter. The Township’s portion was minimized. Linda said they had to condense the newsletter because it had to be so many pages. The Board agreed to prioritize the newsletter in case it should happen again.

Resolution No. 2009-241 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to donate $125.00 instead of the full $250.00 to the Rootstown Local Schools for the publication of the Township news in their Communicator. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

Dave suggested creating a Township logo which may generate and promote our communities economic growth. He also suggested having a contest for residents to submit their idea for a logo.

Resolution No. 2009-242 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon for the Rootstown Township Trustees to move into executive session at 6:20 PM to discuss legal and personnel issues. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

Resolution No. 2009-243 - Upon conclusion of the above referenced discussion a motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon that the Rootstown Township Trustees move out of executive session at 6:50 PM. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

After exiting Executive Session, the Trustees adopted the following resolutions.

Resolution No. 2009-244 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to appoint Karen Henry to the Zoning Commission to the unexpired term of Paul Galido ending December 31, 2010. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

Resolution No. 2009-245 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to appoint George Tishma to the Zoning Commission to the unexpired term of Richard Petro ending December 31, 2014. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

Resolution No. 2009-246 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to eliminate the Liability Agreement For Use Of Township Property Form. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

Resolution No. 2009–247 - Motion by David Armentrout to adjourn at 7:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

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Bonnie Howe, Chairperson

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JoAnn Townend, Fiscal Officer