March 2007
NEWTON TOWNSHIP MINUTES 03-08-2007
Newton Township Trustees met in regular session on March 8, 2007 at 7:00 pm in the township meeting room at the fire department. Those in attendance were: Larry Geiger and Craig Knox of the fire department; Derek J. Dozer, Charles R. Elson and James R. Smith, township trustees; Bernadine E. Swingle, township fiscal officer.
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Dozer, chairperson.
Agenda was approved as presented.
Minutes were approved as presented.
Fire Department;
First order of business went to Larry Geiger representing the fire department. He noted there had been a double fatality fire at township road 57 in Madison Township, Perry County the previous night.
Geiger presented a Bingo report for year ending 12-31-2006 and included this year to date. Attendance has improved somewhat, however they are proceeding month to month.
The ladder truck on order is scheduled for a delivery date of May 7, 2007. Some of the fire personnel will be driving up, spending one day at the factory and returning the following day.
Air packs and compressors were serviced the previous week.
Foam for the fire engines has been ordered at approximately $1000.00 total cost.
New propane heaters at the cost of $315.00 x 4 have been ordered. These are necessary to keep the fire fighting hoses from freezing up when temperatures are extremely low.
An estimate has been secured for safety lights for the building in case of power outage. The cost for all that would be needed is $1200.00 to $1500.00.
Knox reporting for the EMS department. AED wall mounts are needed to mount defibrillation kits in the building. Knox asked if the township would agree to purchase one and the other would be covered by the fire department. All three trustees agreed this was acceptable.
David Lovejoy is going for EMP training at the cost of $1500.00 - $2000.00.
A campaign is under way to provide smoke detectors free of charge to Madison Township and Newton Township residents that might be unable to purchase them on their own. Fire department personnel will volunteer to install same if necessary. This will be made public on WHIZ – radio on Friday, March 9, 2007 by Chief Deaver. Dozer, Elson and Smith all agreed that $1000.00 would be made available for the purchase of the detectors.
The hydraulic light on medic – 1082 is not working properly and has not since the vehicle was new. Pricing for repairs is being checked.
Trustees Report:
Smith reporting; a resident on Moxadarla Road has complained of water draining off the road onto his property and causing some problems. Other than that, Smith had nothing more to report.
Elson; nothing to report.
Dozer; Crock Road at the railroad tracks & State Route 93 intersection must have asphalt mix applied to the road as soon as it becomes available.
Dozer is awaiting an answer from CDBG re; a block grant for repairs to alleys in East Fultonham.
Suggestion was made that possibly one or two of the trustees could fly to Appleton, WI to tour the Pierce Plant when the new ladder truck is ready for delivery. A firm decision will be made at a later date.
Doug Davis, Muskingum County Engineer has indicated that the county would prefer to turn Panther Drive into a township road, thus making Newton Township responsible for upkeep of same. Dozer, Elson and Smith agreed they would prefer this not become a reality.
Dozer noted that the state has indicated they will be covering a considerable amount of their asphalt roads with chip / seal this season to cut material costs.
Some discussion was held by the trustees as to the best use of OPWC funds that are being made available to the townships by the county engineers’ office.
Dozer is completing the Muskingum County Engineer Assistance form that is required to be filed by April 1, 2007. Roads that must be considered for upgrading this season include; Lower Krofft, Crock, Moxahala Park Road, Mahon, Opera and possibly Dennis.
Clerk Report:
Calls have been received about the condition of alleys off Axline Avenue in East Fultonham and also Cinema Drive.
The Muskingum County Township Spring banquet is scheduled for Saturday March 31, 2007 at the Coburn United Methodist Church in Zanesville.
South Central Ohio Township Association is planning a summer meeting for Saturday, July 14, 2007 at the Stockport Mill Inn in Stockport Ohio.
All bills presented were deemed to be valid expenditures and were to be paid.
The next regular meeting will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2007 in the township meeting room at the fire department.
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.