January 2007

January 11th, 2007

 Newton Township Trustees met in regular session on Thursday, January 11, 2007 at 7:00 PM at the township meeting room at the fire department.  Those in attendance were:  Lisa Knox, Josh Castillo, Becky Voytko, Cherrie Waller and Nicol Tabler,  all township residents; Craig Knox Allen Deaver and Larry Geiger of the fire department; Derek J. Dozer, Charles R. Elson and James R. Smith, township trustees; Bernadine E. Swingle, Fiscal Officer.

 Meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Dozer, chairperson.

 Agenda was approved as presented.

 Minutes were approved as presented.

 First order of business went to a lower Avondale resident in the Rodayle addition.  She was requesting permission to install a chain link fence around part of her property to prevent 3-wheelers and 4-wheelers from trespassing.  It was determined by trustee Smith that part of the territory in question is township property and a permanent fence was not advisable.  Dozer suggested she might place some foundation stones partially on the area involved or possibly put up some orange / snow fence temporarily.  She was in agreement with these suggestions.

 The resident also noted that she was told when she moved in that the township would keep her road stoned.  Trustees advised her this area has yet to be determined as township responsibility so they are not at this time responsible for same.

 A resident of Ridgley Road stated she has inquired at the court house as to the possibility of establishing a family cemetery on their property.  Courthouse personnel referred her on to the trustees.  Dozer agreed to check in to this possibility and asked her to return to the next regular scheduled meeting on February 8, 2007 at 7:00 PM for an answer.

 2 residents were present for observation only.

 Deaver reported for the fire department; the department is presently collecting various items to be sent to Iraq.  A member of the department is in Iraq.

A “Valentines” dinner and dance is scheduled for February 17, 2007 at Eaglesticks.

The annual fire department “Awards Banquet” will be held January 20, 2007 at 7:00 PM at Eaglesticks.  Social hour is at 5:00 pm with dinner at 6:00 pm.

Deaver asked if any of the trustees would be interested in making the trip to Appleton, WI to pick up the new ladder truck when it is ready for delivery.  There would also be time for a tour of the plant while there.  Both Smith and Dozer took this into consideration.

Deaver requested from the trustees, permission to award monetary rewards to fire / EMS personnel this year for their participation in keeping the department runs completed.  After some discussion, all three trustees agreed to this suggestion.

C. Knox presented end of the year stats for the EMS / Fire department responses.  There is a 50% reduction in no responses since the end of 2005.

EMT classes are soon to be completed.

Equipment has been ordered to be covered by grant money allowance to be received.

Applications have been filed for new EMS grant money to be made available by July, 2007.

 Geiger presented an annual report of Bingo proceedings to each of the trustees.

 Trustee Reports:

Smith presented a summary of subdivision development off Linn Drive as was presented to him at The Muskingum County Subdivision Regulations Amendments meeting on January 10, 2007.  At this time it appears the following to be addressed:  Contained in this subdivision will be; a large warehouse (type to be determined), a 40 bed motel, a gas station, a 40 unit multi-family housing complex, and a steakhouse.  More details will follow as things progress.  Also, further discussion of the Route 22 / 93 by-pass was held at this meeting.

Elson reported that a township property (currently unoccupied) has some trash that needs removed.  Suggested the road employees could probably do this.  Also, the alley behind Cannon Street has once again become an issue.  It was discussed that the alley was possibly vacated in November, 1982 and is no longer township responsibility.  The Muskingum County Commissioners office has been contacted by both parties and has been advised of this information.  Ms. Montgomery stated she would contact the parties involved and inform them of same.

Dozer states he has been advised by Atkins (road employee) that there are approximately 14 culverts on Ford Road, all of which are deplorable and need to be replaced.  This was agreed by all three trustees, they will advise the road crew to replace 2 or 3 periodically until they are all completed.

A Pete Hope lane resident has contacted all three trustees requesting stone to her driveway.

Old Business:  none to report.

New Business:  Temporary appropriations were approved as presented.

Clerks Report:

Resolution – 01-07 was presented stating; no sick time accrued by hourly employees will be carried over from one year to the next.  No accumulation of unused sick time allowed.  All three trustees agreed and signed this resolution.

Resolution – 02-07 was presented stating the authorization of and request from the OHIO Department of Natural Resources contact Newton Township’s Fiscal Officer when oil and gas permits are requested.  This was discussed, approved and signed by all three trustees.

Notice has been received from the Muskingum County Engineer’s Office advising the township of the annual road inventory.  However, the mileage has been decreased from 61.27 to 61.01 plus three new subdivisions in the township are being added to the township responsibility.  Trustees asked the Fiscal Officer to check the report with the Engineers’ office for clarification.

Note of appreciation has been received from chief Deaver for flowers received in the death of his father.

Notice has been received from Maysville Water Department that an increase in water rates of 5% will be affective as of February 1, 2007.

The following training sessions will be attended as noted:

            Atkins & T>Elson; Maintenance & Repair of Local Roads (also JRSmith).

                                          Maintenance & Repair of Low volume Local Roads

            Atkins; only: Basic Supervisory Training

                                 Asphalt Pavement Preservation

            T. Elson; only:  Road Drainage 101

                                    Traffic Signs & Pavement Markings

Clerk noted that the SouthCentral Ohio Township Association will be hosting a Legislative breakfast during OTA Winter Conference February 1, 2007.  Reservations need to be in by Friday, January 26, 2007.

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

Next regular meeting will be held at the township meeting room on Thursday, February 8, 2007 at 7:00 pm.

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 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.