February 2005

NEWTON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES MINUTES:  02-10-2005

            Newton Township Trustees met in regular session on Thursday, February 10, 2005 at 7:00 PM at the Newton Township fire department; meeting room.  Those in attendance; Kim Smith, resident; Mark Bradley, Hocking / Athens / Perry Community Action Agency; Derek J. Dozer, Charles R. Elson, James C. Geyer, trustees and Bernadine E. Swingle, clerk.  

            Meeting called to order at 7:05PM by chairperson, Derek Dozer.  

            Agenda was approved as presented.  

            Minutes were approved as presented. 

            First order of business went to Mr. Bradley of the Community Action Agency.  He is overseeing labor performed by dislocated individuals (out of work) which is Federally funded and will provide assistance to our township by cleaning debris from streams, creeks etc. that have become obnoxious from the recent flooding occurring in the township.  Their limitations include the lack of heavy equipment being readily available and so would need to be provided by the township.  Also, no means of disposing of misplaced waste which would again fall back to the township responsibility. 
            However, he is in search of work sites for which he could provide services for approximately 6 months.  The county having been divided into zones, this township falls into the “A” zone (southwest quadrant).  He asked to be allowed to ride with someone to identify needs within the township that he might be able to assign a team to perform necessary tasks for same.

            Dozer suggested he check out Moxahala Creek in the Lambert Road area which is just off  State Route 93, south as there has been considerable damage in the area.  He was also asked to check in the area of Fultonrose Road / Fultonham area where Buckeye Forks creek runs as some considerable damage has occurred in that area. 

            Next order of business went to Kim Smith of Fultonrose Road who was hoping to allow some alleys in her area to be closed.  She did specify that an area at 2285 Fultonrose Road was becoming a nuisance as the person living there is disposing of undesirable waste on his property.

All three trustees gave their blessings / agreement to go along with the county engineer and county commissioners as to what they deemed possible to satisfy her complaint / request. 

            7:35 PM; Tim Swingle reported for the fire department.  Med Flight is ready to begin business as planned.  They will arrive on the scene between 8:00 and 10:00 AM on Sunday (02-13-05) to begin operations from this site at noon.

            Dozer asked for a copy of total runs for 2004 to be added to the township web page.

            Fire personnel reported that the utility truck is once again in the shop with radiator problems and what was the possibility of disposing / trading this vehicle for something more reliable and better serviceable.  Geyer suggested that a long term equipment plan of at least 5 years and possible 10 years be put into place by the department and then possibly some consideration of dealings would be in order.  Trustees directed the F D to go ahead with necessary repairs to this vehicle at this time.

            Swingle also noted that the boiler repairs still have not been made.  

            Trustee Reports:  

            Geyer noted he had completed necessary forms to date for E M A and asked for an alternative person be willing to be added as a contact person.  Dozer agreed to do so.  The form was forwarded by mail to the E M A on Friday, February 11, 2005 via U S Mail.

            Two class opportunities for road employees have become available; first one to be held on April 7, 2005 for “Low Volume Local Roads” at the cost of $65.00 per person.   Both full time township employees will be allowed to attend.  The second training; “Road drainage 101” will be held at a later date and both employees will once again be enrolled at the necessary time at the same cost.

            The Muskingum County Health Department will once again host a county wide banquet of which all township elected officials are invited.  Geyer will not be available to attend; Dozer noted he planned to attend.

            Geyer attended a session at winter conference re; x-class roads of which documentation has been received from the county.  This is in regards to vacated / non maintained status township right of ways.  New legislation has been passed and the trustees will be addressing this issue in the very near future.

            Elson reported he had met with owners of property bordering Nolan Road with the existing tree problem.  Their only request was that all wood / debris be removed totally from the area.  It was determined that one Keith Green at the Crooksville office of A E P be contacted re; existing power lines in the trees, possibly getting some assistance from the electric company.  

            New Business:

              Dozer noted that he had attended a session at winter conference re; possibly the township become involved with the local high school Government classes to allow the students knowledge of township operations.  Possibly in recognition of Annual Township Day on February 1.

            He also noted that a possible clean up township day might be one way of involving the community in clearing roadsides of trash / debris.  This would also give local organizations an opportunity to voice their needs of community involvement / membership.

            Dozer also noted he has spoken with an individual involved with the “Strousser Co.” for performing crack sealing of black topped roadways.  It is too early and time is currently very limited for the company to check this out at this time.  They would be available for same later in the spring.

              Clerk’s Report”

              Notice has been received from the Nextel Co. that a proposed merger with the Sprint Co. is in motion and they are anticipating better service to their customers by doing this.

            One Dale Edward Parker of the Avondale Fuel Mart has applied for class “B” liquor license.

            Included in their monthly reports, all three trustees received the winter 2004 Newsletter from ADA – OHIO as well as the monthly Grassroots newsletter from OTA.

            Appropriations were adjusted as trustees deemed necessary and were approved as “Permanent Appropriations” for the 2005 working year.

            All bills presented were deemed valid expenditures and were to be paid as presented.

            The next regular meeting will be held Thursday, February 24, 2005 at 7:00 PM.

            The following dates have been designated as regular meetings; March 10 and 24, April 14 and 28, May 12 and 26 and June 9 and 23, 2005.

              Meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.

NEWTON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES MINUTES; 02-24-2005

Newton Township Trustees held their second February meeting on Thursday, February 24, 2005 at 8:00 PM at the community meeting room at the Newton Fire Department.  Those is attendance; Allen Deaver, Larry Geiger and Chad Hina of the fire department, Derek J. Dozer and James C. Geyer, trustees and Bernadine E. Swingle, clerk.  Charles R. Elson was excused due to illness.

            Dozer called the meeting to order at 8:00 PM.

            Agenda was approved as presented.

            Minutes were approved as presented.

            No public participation was called for.

            First order of business went to the fire department, Deaver reporting.  The “Explorers” recognition banquet will be held March 9, 2005 and trustees are all invited.

            Brandt – Hoover – Johnson has been in contact regarding the boiler problem.  Apparently the proper connections had not been made with controls to the computer / thermostat.  This is to be corrected in the very near future.

            A long – term vehicle replacement plan was presented to the trustees.

         Following much discussion of same, the issue was tabled to be taken under advisement by the trustees.

            Bingo / fire department was the next issue to be discussed. 

            It was noted by Deaver that he and Geiger will be heading up the Bingo procedure.

              Trustee Reports:

    Geyer noted he would be attending the FEMA meeting at the EMA office on March 2, 2005.

       No further trustee reports.

     Old Business:

       Nothing noted.

      New Business:

   Clerks’ report;

  Notice has been received regarding the Ohio Homeland Security Symposium to be held April 20 – 21 at Veterans Memorial in Columbus, Ohio.

            A letter from OBWC has been received and copy of same given to each trustee regarding the completion of 1 year of the Premium Discount Program Plus.

            Notice was presented to the trustees by the clerk, in the absence of EMS coordinator, Craig Knox;  

    Two letters requesting termination of “in-network” status with them.  These included Medical Mutual of Ohio and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

   An increase in EMS billing schedule to become effective 03-01-2005.  See attachment.

         Both issues were approved by the trustees.

            All bills presented were deemed to be valid expenditures and were to be paid as presented.

            Next meeting will be held Thursday, March 10, 2005 at 7:00 PM at the fire department.

            Meeting adjourned at  10:15 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.