June 2007

NEWTON TOWNSHIP MINUTES – 06-07-2007

Newton Township Trustees met in regular session on Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 7:00 PM in the meeting room at the Newton Township Fire Department.  Those in attendance were:  Shirley Smith of 3085 Broadvue Circle, Larry Geiger and Craig Knox of the Fire Department, Derek J.Dozer, Charles R. Elson, and James R. Smith, township trustees and Bernadine E. Swingle, fiscal officer of the township.

Meeting was called to order at 7:06 pm by chairperson, Derek J. Dozer.

Agenda was approved as presented.

Minutes were approved as presented.

First order of business went to resident who was requesting some type of drainage control from Broadvue Circle onto her driveway during times of heavy rain which in turn causes flooding into her garage.  Also, requested some type of berm / fill be put in along the roadway bordering her yard as there has developed a considerable drop off due to years of asphalt paving.  Smith claims she originally had Juniper hedge along her entire yard bordering the road, a few years ago the hedge was trimmed back considerably by the township followed by someone driving off the roadway into / braking off the hedge and she then had to have it all removed.

            Dozer assured her the trustees would meet at this location following the meeting to decide what was the best solution to her problem along the yard / roadway area and would take action as deemed necessary.  The driveway is a totally different situation and would need to be reconsidered after inspection by the trustees is complete.

Fire Department business was next on the agenda; Geiger stated he had nothing to report at this time.

            The new ladder truck is on location, there are some additional supplies needed to equip this vehicle.  Some of the FEMA grant money will be used for this, but asked for an additional amount to be determined by the trustees as to how much from township funds could be used at this time.  Following some discussion of same, all three trustees were in agreement a cap be allowed at this time.

            Upcoming dates for training within the fire department;

                        June 18 – foam training

                        June 19 – 20 – 21 – Pierce Co. will be here for training on the ladder truck

                        June 23 – annual open house to the public to be held at the fire house

            Notes to the department by the clerk were as follows:

                        It is mandatory that purchase receipts be delivered to the clerk by the time billing of same has been received to make the invoice payable. 

                        It was also noted, OBWC notices have been received for 2 firefighters one for a needle puncture wound and a finger laceration.  Neither on of these accidents required loss of work time.

Trustees reports:

            Smith reporting; an estimate for a “skid” sprayer to fit in the back of the pick – up has been secured at the price of $370.68 from Tractor Supply co.  Smith is requesting purchase of this item for spraying around road signs and bridge abutments.  Question raised as to someone being qualified / certified to spray various chemicals.  It was determined by all three trustees this would be a good investment with the stipulation that one of our current full time road employees is certified to use the sprays in question.

            Estimates have also been acquired to possibly add a new structure / add on to an existing structure at the garage for storage of equipment and supplies.  Bid amounts ranged from $13,280.00 to $9,176.00 and it was the final decision of all three trustees that this should be tabled until a later date.

            Road repairs for the summer season ( chip / seal and asphalt paving) was discussed in great detail.  It was decided the money allowed by the Muskingum County Engineers’ office for the current year and 2008 would be used to chip / seal as much as possible.  The county has agreed to do the work in two sessions allowing part of the roads to be maintained as necessary for treatment at one time then maintain the remainder for a second time through.  Atkins will keep the county engineers’ office posted as to what and when the roads are ready.  Currently Opera, Slack, Lower Krofft, Porter Run Rd., and Moxahala Park Road have been completed.

            Elson reporting; Bonnie Kelly has called to request her roadside be mowed.  Sandy Barnes has requested that Lower Krofft Rd. be sealed.

            Dozer reporting; some complaints have been received regarding water drainage issues in the Renner Subdivision.

            There has become an issue with culvert / pipe installation in ditches and dirt coverage in front of a new house which is under construction on Nutter Rd..  A “New Policy” regarding this type of situation will be put in to effect by 07-01-2007.  This was agreed upon by both Smith and Dozer.

Fiscal Officer reporting; 

            As the township is currently being audited for the years of 2005 &2006 it has been brought to the attention of the fiscal officer that all trustees were shorted $78.00 total pay in the year of 2005.  According to the attending auditor, it is to the discretion of the trustees as to whether they are reimbursed for this amount.  It was unanimously agreed by the trustees that this was not an issue that needed to be reimbursed.

            A resolution was presented to the trustees for approval to move money from the fire fund to the Capital Projects Fund.   This was approved and signed by all trustees.

            It is being requested that gas receipts be acquired at time of each purchase and delivered to the fiscal officer.

            Notice has been received from OBWC / Careworks that request has been made to possibly get a past employee into “vocational rehabilitation services” which could possibly allow him once again work privileges.  This has been discussed with the Fiscal Officer and OBWC which in turn determined that this would need to come before the board for approval if the time comes that the past employee would be asked to be put back on the township payroll. It was also noted by OBWC that this is currently on hold as the doctor in charge is currently out of the country serving with the armed forces in Iraq.

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

            The next regular meeting will be held on Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 7:00 pm at the township meeting room at the fire department.

June 20, 2007; Fiscal officer was contacted by the Muskingum County Commissioners’ Office to inform the township that Rodayle Drive in Avondale has been approved / applied to the township list of roads to be maintained by the township.  This was approved by the Commissioners’ prior to 01-01-2007 but was inadvertently left off the official listing of township roads.  It will be added to the 2008 listing and the township is currently responsible for any / all maintenance of said road.

June 27, 2007 Fiscal officer was contacted by the Muskingum County Commissioners’ Office to schedule a joint meeting with the township trustees, county engineer and county commissioners at the location of Lambert Road and Pidcock Lane.  This meeting has been tentatively scheduled for Monday, July 9, at 2:00 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.