November 2004

NEWTON TOWNSHIP MINUTES:  11-12-2004

 Newton Township Trustees met in regular session on Friday, November 12, 2004 at 6:00 PM at the Newton Fire Department.  Those in attendance were; Craig Knox and Tim Swingle for the fire department; Derek J. Dozer, Charles R. Elson and James C. Geyer, township trustees; and Bernadine E. Swingle, township clerk.

The meeting was called to order by chairperson; James C. Geyer.

Agenda was approved as presented.

Minutes were approved as presented.

No public participation was necessary.

December meetings scheduled as follows; regular meeting on Thursday, December 9, 2004 at 7:00 PM and an additional meeting on Thursday, December 30, 2004 to close the books for the year.

Geyer noted he was preparing a newsletter to go to the printers soon and was open for articles to include in same.

FIRE DEPARTMENT; a finalized “Public Access Policy” for the fire building was presented for approval.  All three trustees approved and signed same.

Snow removal of the fire parking lot was discussed; trustees suggested a snow blade be purchased and installed on the fire department pick – up truck.  This was acceptable by the fire department.  Township employees will proceed with finalizing this procedure.  Also, township employees will clean the parking lot of snow as needed for the interim.

It was noted by fire personnel that water is draining across the roadway of the fire department from a culvert from the bus garage which could possibly cause a freezing / icy problem this winter.  It was discussed and all trustees agreed the culvert could be removed as it is no longer needed by the garage.  Township employees will remove same.

Craig Knox, reporting for the E M S department; information has been secured for a maintenance agreement for inspections and maintenance of both medic vehicles.  This would include one inspection of vehicles per year, new batteries as needed and any repairs to equipment as needed.  Costs were discussed.  All three trustees agreed this was a necessity and it should be pursued.

 Tim Swingle, reporting for the fire department; the officers met recently and interviewed and received applications for four (4) new volunteers, two of which have already received fire and EMT training.

The physical address for the department has been changed at the post office to reveal the 5490 Maysville Pike address.  The street number will be posted on the same mailbox as the bus garage per agreement with Maysville schools.

The annual awards banquet of the fire department will be held January 15, 2005.

An estimate on installation of new / renew locks on the entire fire house was received. All three trustees agreed to this being done.

Additional lighting is needed in the front parking lot of the new building.  All three trustees agreed this was definitely a need and to go ahead with it.

WINTER OPERATIONS for the township was next on the agenda.

It was determined by agreement of all three trustees:

            Manpower of the township will be cut back by Thanksgiving.

           Trustees responsible for calling in emergency help:

            Elson will be responsible the 1^st through the 10^th of each month.

            Geyer will be responsible the 11^th through the 20^th of each month.

            Dozer will be responsible the 21^st through the end of the month.

It was deemed necessary to order / stockpile winter road materials.

            TRUSTEES REPORTS:

            Also, the township employees will be doing maintenance work on the current snow plow vs. have it done by another vendor.

            Geyer also noted the regular furnace at the garage is no longer being used and could be sold.  Clerk to check on the price of this as a new furnace.

            Elson had nothing to report.

            Dozer reported he has been in contact with furniture company for estimates for furniture for the trustees meeting room.   

OLD BUSINESS; none reported

 NEW BUSINESS: none reported

BID OPENING OF OLD FIRE BUILDING: no bids / inquiries were received.  Geyer noted that according to O.R.C. the building is now available for lease / sell as feasible.  Utility bills will be monitored to evaluate rental fees.  Also, some of the township equipment can now be stored in the building to allow the housing of cinders at the township garage area.

Locksmith will be contacted to install new locks on all of the entryways at the old fire building.

CLERKS’ REPORT:

            Current company is extremely high for making only one or two long distance phone calls.  Possibly these calls could be made on cell phones and the account can be closed.

This was completed on 11-15-2004 per the clerk.

                       Residents who maintain and mow Goshen Cemetery have been contacted and bill received.  To be paid as requested. 

            Bills presented were deemed to be valid expenditures and to be paid.

             Next meeting will be held Thursday, December 9, 2004 at 7:00 PM.

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM.

 Newton Township has made every effort to ensure all the information listed on this website is accurate and up to date.  This information can and may change without notice.  Meeting overviews are meant to serve as short informational updates on township business.  We can not be responsible for any inaccurate or omitted information.