November 2007

NEWTON TOWNSHIP EMERGENCY MEETING 11-27-07

             Newton Township Trustees met for an emergency meeting November 11, 2007 to ratify some situations involving the Thompson Run Road bridge closing.  Those in attendance were; Ed McConnell, Jay McConnell, Dan McConnell, and Bruce McConnell, township residents at bridge location.  Derek J. Dozer, Charles R. Elson, and James R. Smith, township trustees and Bernadine E. Swingle, Fiscal Officer.

            Meeting called to order @ 7:30 pm per Dozer, chairperson.

            No agenda was presented as the road condition was the topic of discussion for the meeting.

            The situation as it stands now;

            *The township right of way is 20’ from the center of the road per Doug Davis, county engineer.

            *The current road needs to be wider for safer travel.

            *The current culvert needs to be replaced / repaired as stated at the last regular meeting.

            *The culvert that is there is beyond repair.

            *Recommended by the trustees; 40’ culvert needs to be installed into a 40’ right of way plus the township needs to be allowed to get in / around it to maintain as necessary.  The road at the top level should be at least 18’ wide plus another 1’ slope with rock / concrete to finish the project.

            *A 40’ culvert is scheduled to be delivered @ 9:00 am Wednesday, 11-28-2007 and probably work will begin the first of next week per Larry Taylor, road employee.

            .

McConnell’s’ stated they were with the understanding that any time a center line of road is moved, a survey is required.  Question to the trustees per McConnell’s’, how do you know where the center of the right of way is – as it has changed considerably over the years. 

According to the trustees, they are trying to do what is MOST fair to all involved. 

            McConnell’s’ seemed to be in agreement with the Trustees on their decisions.

Dozer and Smith stated they had spoken with Doug McConnell re; straightening the stream that runs along the road to help improve the situation and were assured by McConnell to go ahead and do whatever was necessary.  The trustees assured all the McConnell’s’ they were not trying to push something over on them.  The trees that were trimmed / cut down were done with Dougs’ permission and trustees apologized for any inconvenience it may have caused.  The trustees have been in contact with Dr. Smith, whose property adjoins the McConnell’s’, and were affirmed by him to do whatever was necessary.   Trustees mentioned that when the time comes to widen the Thompson Run Road area in question, Smallwoods whose property borders the McConnell’s’ have asked for the fill dirt to be dumped on low lying areas of their property.  The electric poles in the area also need to be replaced if at all possible. Trustees assured the McConnell’s’ they would notify them when the widening project was ready to move ahead.

In reference to another situation with property owned by McConnell’s on MoxaDarla Road, there is a non-maintained road that might require more service than what has been done previously.  McConnell’s’ assured them that they preferred to keep the road as it is to prevent un-necessary traffic on the road.

Meeting adjourned at 8:10pm.

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