May 2007

NEWTON TOWNSHIP MINUTES 05-10-2007

            Newton Township Trustees met in regular session on Thursday, May 10, 2007 at 7:00 PM in the township meeting room at the fire department.  Those in attendance were; Don Veyon and Howard Anderson township residents; Jeff Swingle and Larry Geiger 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 7:05 pm by Dozer, chairperson.

           Agenda was approved as presented.

           Minutes were amended.

Public Participation:

            First order of business went to a Rodayle Drive resident.   He is concerned that the township is not taking more care of his road.  Dozer explained to him that the developer who developed the subdivision, has not completed all the necessary paper work to the county and that the road has not been officially determined to be a township road.  Therefore, the township is not responsible for it at this time.  It was suggested he contact the county engineer for further help in getting the proper specifications completed.

            Howard Anderson was present to provide documentation from Delille Oxygen Co. to possibly allow the fire department the option of leasing vs. renting oxygen.  This would be considerably less costly as a five year lease can be obtained at $171.00 each for a total of 10 tanks.  The cost for rent is $77.00 per month.  The trustees / fire department personnel all agreed this was substantial savings and Anderson agreed to finalize the necessary paperwork with the company to carry through with the lease program.

Fire Department:   

Reporting for the fire department was Geiger and Swingle; It was noted that the Saturday Bingo will be suspended for the summer months.  May 19, 2007 will be the last session scheduled at the present time.

            A certified letter has been mailed to an applicant re; an application to be a volunteer firefighter.  At this time the person has not been picked / accepted receipt of the letter..

            Pierce Company has finalized the date for pick up of the new ladder truck.  This will be available for inspection on May 24, 2007 at the factory in Appleton, WI.

            It was brought to the attention of the fire department personnel by the fiscal officer that the water bill has been considerable higher the last two months than previously.  Possibly there is a leak someplace in the building

            Also, per the fiscal officer, the fuel bill from Englefield Oil is much higher that usual the last two months.  Suggestion was made that this might need to be monitored more closely.

Trustees:

            Smith reporting; a Lambert Road resident is again requesting township maintenance to the last 400’ of her road. 

            There remains a troublesome ditch through Avondale at the Charles Street / Madison Street area that needs some repairs.  This was tabled for the present time.

            There seems to be a bank slippage in the Moxa – Darla road area that continues to be a problem.  The resident living there has requested all three trustees meet with him at some time in the near future to recommend a permanent repair for the area.

            A truck bed is still being sought for the Ford dump truck.  Vote was taken as to purchase a stainless steel bed vs. a steel bed.  Elson voted against buying any bed, both Dozer and Smith agreed to go ahead and purchase the regular steel bed. This price does not include any hydraulics or extras needed for mounting the bed to the truck.

            Elson reporting; It has been called to the attention of the board that our mower, who mows cemeteries’ in the township, has been involved in an auto accident and will not be able to do the mowing this season. 

            Elson states there are some area of Stine Road and Foxfire Road that need immediate attention to repair blacktop.  All three trustees agreed this was a positive need and Elson will pursue stats to do this.

            Dozer reporting; 

            A resident, located behind the Dairy Queen in Fultonham will be contacted re; the junk cars that are surrounding his property.  He is supposed to have the most of this cleared away by this time.

            Suggestion was made by Dozer that a new computer for the garage would be helpful to make it possible to use the county GPS maps available to the township.  He will secure pricing / purchasing of same with a ceiling price.  This will be purchased using money available in the General Fund.

            Question from Dozer as to any communication from OBWC re; new ratings for the year 2006.  Fiscal Officer replied; she has been in contact with them, they have dropped the original rating considerably due to the fact we are involved in the PDP program.  It has saved the township approximately $1800.00 at this time.  It was also brought to our attention that the 2003 claim by recently retired employee has been settled at 30% which could result in us receiving a refund.  We should also be eligible to apply for group rating again in 2008.

            Fiscal Officer reporting; a resolution was presented same was signed by all three trustees.  A resolution was also secured to apply for an Amended Certificate to cover the money allowed to the township by the Muskingum County Commissioners.

            Fultonham resident has contacted the Fiscal Officer re; a fence she feels needs repairs around the cemetery in back of her house.  Dozer agreed to check this out.

            It was noted we are currently being audited by the State Auditors Office for the years 2005 and 2006.

            A resident on Dona Drive has called repeatedly re; a wet spot in her yard which she feels is caused by water run off of the road in front of her house.  Trustees agreed to check it out.

            A credit card policy has been presented to the board by Dozer and is in effect retroactive to January 1, 2007.

            Note was made to the trustees that according to the pre audit conference, they will be held responsible for recording all their work hours to the township.

            Material was provided to all trustees re; a cold crack sealant advertisement received from the D & D Emulsions Company.

            Also, copies of both culvert permits which have been established by the township was presented to each trustee for future reference.

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

The next regular meeting was scheduled for June 14, 2007.  Due to conflicts with two of the board members, the date was changed to June 7, 2007.  Notice of same has been posted on the fire house door.

Meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.

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