September 2007

NEWTON TOWNSHIP MINUTES:  09-17-2007

Newton Township Trustees met in regular session on Monday, September 17, 2007 at 7:00 pm in the township meeting room at the fire department.  Those in attendance were; Ronald Taylor, community resident; Martha Sterling, Paul Slack, Raymond Bishy, and Michael Victor  of the White Cottage Community Days Committee; 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 township fiscal officer.

Dozer, chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

Minutes were approved as presented.

Agenda was approved as presented.

First order of business went to Ronald Taylor who seemed to be dealing with a dispute with a neighbor.  Dozer agreed to check out the situation personally and suggested that Taylor might also need to check with the county engineers’ office if there is a question on boundaries of the property owners in this sub-division.

Second on the agenda; Martha Sterling president of Community Days Committee reports that all is going well at this time.  Slack asked if the fire department personnel would fill the dunk-tank with water which was no problem with the fire department and trustees.  Slack then asked about the foot bridge that is to be installed across Jonathon Creek from Limestone Valley Road to the ball diamond on Crock Road.  Slack states the committee has applied for (not received confirmation of) 1 million dollars of liability insurance for the week end.  He (Slack) asked for assistance from the township employees to install the bridge, stating that according to Doug Davis, County Engineer that it was permissible by him to remove a section of guard rail to allow access to the crossing.  Nate Atkins, township employee has come into the meeting at this time and states the bridge is 10’ too short and the legs extending into the creek need to be lengthened.  He (Atkins) did agree to adding 5’ to each end of the bridge, community days is to cover cost of material.  Trustees advised Slack that it is up to the committee to attend to the removal of the guardrail.  This whole procedure was agreed upon by all parties involved.

Fire Department Reporting:

            *Larry Geiger reported that the scheduled golf outing will be held October 7, 2007.

            *Asked for trustees approval of accepting volunteer applications from residents outside

                        the community providing they would remain on site for a scheduled amount of

                        time each month.  Trustees agreed they would work with the department on this.

            *Knox reported that Medic 1081 needs repairs to the heating interior.  Tlhis should be

                        covered under warranty.

            *The utility truck is in bad state of repair and the department is requesting the

                        consideration of the trustees for the purchase of another vehicle to fulfill

                        this area in 2008.  Trustees agreed to discuss the situation.

            *Permission was requested to get the fire department involved in a reading program

                        at Maysville schools; a member of the department will go into the school once

a month to interact with the pupils in the reading program,  then a FREE ride to school in a fire engine would be awarded to the student reading the most books within a designated time. Trustees all agreed to this program.

                        *Knox requested that a call be made to DeLille Oxygen Co. for the possibility

                          of renting / leasing the portable O2 tanks.  Fiscal Officer agreed to do this.

Nate Atkins, road superintendent:

            *Chip / Seal to all the roads has been completed and looks to be a good job.

            *Part – time help should be finished for the current season by October 1, 2007.

            *Things in general with the road work have slowed down substantially.

            *Internet service for the garage was discussed, trustees determined Road Runner

                        with Time Warner was the best option and to go with the 36 months program

                        which allows for free installation and a monthly fee of $55.96.  Atkins will

                        proceed with the hook up.

*Atkins then announced that he has taken another job in the oil fields and September 28, 2007 will be his last day to work for the township.

            Following intense discussion, it was agreed among the trustees that job applications will be received at the Fiscal Officers’ office with no formal advertising for applications at this time. Qualifications requested as follows.

            Supervisory experience helpful.

            Equipment maintenance a necessity.

            Class A or B CDL.

            Previous road work experience preferred.

            G E D>

            Ability to schedule time and work hours.

Trustees;

            Nothing to report.

Fiscal Officer:

            Morton Salt contract presented and trustees agreed it should be renewed.

`           Fiscal Officer noted the Muskingum County Township Association will be holding

                        another public meeting re; the NIMS program on September 27, 2007 at the

                        Perry Township Fire Department.

            Notice has been received from the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District that there will be a $12.00 fee added to each parcel of real estate beginning in January 2008 for maintenance of waterways and dams.

            One past employee has applied for Permanent Disability with OBWC>

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

Next regular meeting will be held October 11, 2007 at 7:00 pm.

EMERGENCY MEETING 10-01-2007

Emergency meeting called 10-01-2007 to perform interviews for a road employee.  Those in attendance included Derek J. Dozer and James R. Smith, township trustees; and Bernadine E. Swingle, township Fiscal Officer.  Charles R. Elson, trustee was absent.

Two applications have been received for road supervisor for the township.

7:00 pm 1st candidate came before the board to be interviewed for the above mentioned job.

Dozer performed the initial interview followed by Smith.  He was asked to be on stand by at home for contact if needed later in the evening.

7:30 pm Larry Taylor came before the board for interview for the township road supervisor position.  Once again Dozer performed the initial interview followed by Smith.  Taylor was questioned in depth as to where he plans to be with his own business ie; “Taylor and Sons Excavating” in the future.  He states his plan is to turn the business over to the “sons” and not be involved if he were to be hired by the township.  He was dismissed from the meeting and asked to remain close for final determination of a new hire.

Following discussion between the two trustees, Taylor was called back into the room and offered the job as township road supervisor with a start date of October 8, 2007.  He was advised as to what his duties / obligations would be and Taylor was receptive to this and accepted the job.

8:20 pm Dozer called 1st candidate via phone to advise him of boards decision.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.

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