August 2004
Newton Township Trustees met in regular session on Thursday, August 12th, 2004 at 7:00pm at the Newton Township Fire Department.
Those in attendance were: Tim Lutz, Don Yarger, and Craig Knox representing the Fire Department, James C. Geyer, Derek J. Dozer and Charles R. Elson, township trustees and Bernadine E. Swingle, township clerk.
Meeting was called to order at 7:10pm by president, Jim Geyer.
Agenda was approved by all three trustees, as well as the minutes from the last meeting.
Newton Fire Department
Knox reported letter has been sent to individual that her medic card has expired. No response to date. No response incidents were reported. list for May was presented. EMS billing policy changes were presented and approved by all three trustees. Knox reported that the Fire Department Association and Auxillary contributed money to buy air conditioners for the new facility.
Notice has been received by Geyer of 3 individuals interested in the Chief position. Trustess determined that interviews would be held on August 26th and August 30th.
Geyer has been in contact with Kelly Architectural Services and contractor regarding added costs of installing windows.
Old business
Dozer met with a representative from OBWC for consultation on our ability to restore some of our credit with them. A new form for reporting accidents needs to be used.
There was discussion about Fire levy on November ballot. It was agreed to move forward. Necessary paperwork must be completed and turned in at the Board of Elections by August 19th at 4:00pm.
New Business
Dozer reported there is a culvert on Greenhouse road to be installed. Call regarding excessive drainage issue on Jenkins Drive was discussed. Geyer and Dozer to investigate.
Geyer reported on Road employee issues.
A chipper was borrowed from the County to clear back necessary right-of-ways.
Several roads will be repaired before bad weather including Yost, Slack, Huggins, Opera and Harlan.
Elson to check out culvert on Dona Drive that may be plugged.
Surveyor to survey and stake current Fire Department. Agreed by all three trustees.
Clerk
Notice will be put in the Times Recorder on August 16th and August 23rd, with bids to be opened on August 30th for asphalt paving of new Fire Station.
Muskingum County Planning Commission to hold meeting on September 23rd.
A resolution was presented on chip and seal costs.
Frank Gates notified township of a hearing by Industrial Commission for township employee.
Clerk noted she felt funds were low for time of year we are in.
It was decided by all trustees that 2 meetings a month would be necessary until further notice.
All bills were accepted as valid expenditures and were to be paid as presented.
Next meeting will be held Thursday, August 26th, 2004 at the fire department at 7:00pm. A short meeting will be held on August 30th to open bids for asphalt.
Supplemental Meeting August 26th, 2004
Newton Township Trustees met for a supplemental meeting on Thursday, August 26th, 2004 at 7:00pm at the Newton Township Fire Department.
Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by chairperson, Jim Geyer.
Those in attendance were:
Dan Shipley, Jake Lutz, Tim Lutz, and Tim Swingle of the Fire Department, Pat
Kelly of Kelly Architectural Services, Shawn Good a township resident, James C. Geyer,
Derek J. Dozer and Charles R. Elson,
township trustees and Bernadine E. Swingle, township clerk.
Shawn Good
Was the first order of business; he commented on how good Crock Road now appears, but he is concerned of what he feels is abuse of township equipment as in the mowing/trimming of trees along his road verses the mowing of the roadside. Geyer explained the equipment in question is designed and intended for this type of work, that roadside mowing this season has been sporadic due to personnel situations. The county chipper is currently on loan and we are taking this opportunity to trim back some brush along our roads as needed. This is being done as time allows.
Presented the final pay request from Bi-Con Services for the completion of the Fire Station. A walk through has been done and it appears that everything is completed. They are still in the final completion of the restrooms and the fire alarm system will need to be operational before public access is granted. These are expected to be completed in the near future. A contractor will provide estimates for restroom painting. Question was raised about putting a catch basin in outside the truck bays due to a concern when freezing water is possible. Geyer is taking into consideration and will talk to township employees. Carpet situation will be resolved by company storing carpet for township until it is needed.
Fire
Department
Reporting for Community Days activities. Seems to be a lack of communication between committe and personnel. To resolve this the department will have a representative at the next and all subsequent meetings.
Concern was voiced over how many turn out gear units have been ordered and grant status.
Invitation
for Open House were discussed. It was decided to invite all local elected
officials and sub contractors who worked on the building.
New
Business
Roads
Geyer reported that a small section of Heckel Road is in need of attention. Black top that was applied a few years ago has not held up. He also noted that Georgia Pine Estates sub division has applied a base coat and there are plans to finish this in the spring.
Dozer noted he has checked the condition of Crock Road as reported earlier and nothing needs to be done at this time. He also reported that the brush on Thompson Run Road needs to be trimmed back by the McConnell farm.
Elson has attempted to contact the Dona Drive residents with no luck.
Geyer has spoken with surveyor about surveying current Fire station.
Clerk
Allen Deaver of the Fire Department has asked permission to contract heating and cooling contractor to make repairs to the refrigeration/freezer units at the new building. All trustees agreed.
Sweepers were also approved for the new building.
Exercise equipment has been purchased with FEMA grant funds.
All
necessary paperwork has been completed to have the Fire renewal levy on the
ballot this November.
All
bills were accepted as valid expenditures and were to be paid.
Meeting adjourned into executive
session at 8:10pm to discuss personnel matters on the Fire Department.
9:15pm executive session closed and the meeting adjourned.
Next meeting will be on Monday, August 30th at 7:00pm to discuss opening bids for asphalt paving at the new Fire station.
Asphalt Bid/2nd Supplemental Meeting August 30th, 2004
Those in attendance were:
Tim Swingle, Jeff Swingle, Tim Lutz, Allen Deaver and Craig Knox of the Fire Department,
Mark Cox from Shelly Co., James C. Geyer, Derek J. Dozer and Charles R. Elson,
township trustees and Bernadine E. Swingle, township clerk.
Meeting was called to order at 7:05pm by chairperson, Jim Geyer.
Bids for the asphalt paving were opened from the following companies. Shelly and Sands Inc., Shelly Co., and Neff Paving. Shelly and Sands was the lowest bid and all three trustees agreed to award the contract to them.
Fire
Department
Voiced concern about drainage at the new site. Trustees agreed that a catch basin draining into a 130' culvert would be installed before the paving was complete.
Contractor presented Geyer with bid to stain and paint windows, walls and trim.
Sign repairs will be completed shortly.
Finley Fire has been contacted questioning new turn out gear. 25 sets are on order.
Community Days planning was discussed as was the Open House of the new building to be held on September 24-26, 2004. Personnel will attend upcoming meeting with Community Days planning committee with will be held each consecutive Wednesday, starting September 1st. Notice for the Open House will appear in the Advertiser and Merchandiser.
New phone lines being initiated for the new building per Deaver.
All
bills were accepted as valid expenditures and were to be paid.
7:55pm meeting went into executive session for final interviews for Fire Chief position.
8:40pm executive session ended.
Trustees conferred on all three interviews held; it was agreed by all three trustees that Allen Deaver was the best qualified and best fit for the position at this time. Deaver was informed at that time.
Conference with Deaver followed discussing some of the following issues:
Pay for position, EMS fund, SOG's, meeting with members, listing of members able to make purchases and system of spending, mission statement, core principles developed, communication, customer service, review, Association.
Chicken BBQ, FEMA grant then SOG's will be first on Deaver's list.
All three trustees agreed on pay for Deaver starting in September 2004.
Next meeting will be Thursday, September 16th at 7:00pm.
Meeting adjourned at 8:55pm.
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