October 2009

NEWTON TOWNSHIP MINUTES 10-13-2009

            Newton Township Trustees met in regular session on Thursday, October 13, 2009 at 7:00 pm in the township meeting room.  There were many township residents in attendance (see attachment) as well as; Larry Geiger, Craig Knox, Allen Deaver of the fire department; Township trustees; Derek J. Dozer, Charles R. Elson and James R. Smith; and Fiscal Officer; Bernadine E. Swingle.

            Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by chairperson, James R. Smith.

            Agenda was amended to include opening of the meeting with the pledge of allegiance; Derek Dozer led the pledge with all in attendance.

            Minutes were approved as presented.

            Public Participation was first on the agenda:

                        Stephenson had no comments, only attending.

                        JoAnn Bates of 3670 Sunset Drive, phone # 454-8246 had a concern of large amounts of water draining from the road through her yard at the time of heavy rains.  Dozer agreed he was aware of the problem and Elson, Smith and Larry Taylor agreed to check it out the following day.

                        Martha Sterling had nothing to report, only attending.

                        J. D. Diamond reported he had stepped out of his truck at the intersection of Moxa-Darla Road and the entrance to Indian Hills trailer court into a hole in a culvert at that location.  Taylor agreed he would check on it the next day.

                        Julie Rice of 1780 Greenhouse Road was inquiring about a line fence situation at her residence.  One neighbor was agreeable to sharing the cost; however another neighbor was not in agreement with this.  She states she has spoken with a Farm Bureau member and Steve Bradley  who assured her she is in the right to pursue this assistance from both neighbors.  Dozer in response quoted what the O. R. C. states re; line fences.  His questions to her were; is the fence in disrepair – answer of sort of, is anyone trespassing – answer of no, is it a fence anyone would have to pass through to acquire access to their property – answer of not.

                                    John Phillips, one of the other property owners was present with the following comments; it was of no benefit to him, it would not change the value of his home (which is for sale), he has no problem with trespassers and it appears to be of the advantage to the Rices’ only.  Dozer presented Ms. Rice with several legalities on paper to study and sign if she preferred to pursue the issue, some of which would require some financial requirements from the land owner.

                        Jay Stewart of 5633 Limestone Valley Road approached fire chief Deaver with the following comment; in lieu of a recent fire at his place of residence, why was the Newton fire engine which was not functioning placed between the fire and a South Zanesville fire engine, that they were not able to get to the fire.  Deaver assured him that a second Newton engine was directed through the functioning process of fighting the fire, therefore Newton did contain the fire.  It was not a known factor that the first engine was having a pump problem until they arrived on the scene.  Stewart also questioned the presence of a “photographer” on site taking pictures before the fire department had even arrived.  Deaver again assured him the presence of the photographer was necessary in the final investigation process of any fire and also, this person had most likely responded from home and did not need to report to the fire department before being on the scene.  It appears Stewart is a “disgruntled” township resident.

                        Bob Mock stated he greatly appreciated the work that has been accomplished on Thompson – Run Road, but feels the asphalt application was very poorly done.  He has spoken with one Pat Gill of Shelly and Sands who states they never lay asphalt that thick in a single application.  Smith states he did question the application at the time it was being completed, but the contract did not state it would be done any differently.  Mock states he does not feel the initial application / prep was adequate.  Dozer stated that in the future, contracts will be studied closer before allowing bids / proceeding with a job.

             Fire Department Business:

                        Chief Deaver reported a newsletter re; the upcoming fire levy would be circulated in the township ad bag on October 25, 2009.  Also, a town hall meeting re; the levy will be held October 28, 6:30 – 8:30 pm.  He will present a brief overview of the levy and the floor will be opened for questions.  There will also be time allowed for any / all of the township trustee candidates to say a few words if they desire to do so. 

                        EMS coordinator; Craig Knox presented a copy of a “Liability” agreement to be issued at the time of acquiring use of the building for approval.  Trustees tabled it for the present, to be discussed further at the next meeting.  Final preparations are imminent of a “Hold Harmless” agreement for public use of the building.

            Monthly EMS stats for September were presented to the trustees / fiscal officer.

            Trustee Dozer presented to Knox some public access policy adjustments / changes and asked him to re-present it at the November meeting.

            There was considerable discussion from the residents in attendance re; paid / volunteer personnel and questions to both the fire department personnel and the trustee board.

            Road Reports:

            Larry Taylor reporting; roads are prepared for chip / seal, however the weather has become a determining factor as to whether this can be completed.

            There continues to be improvements made to Workman road; i.e.; ditching all the way into Fultonham and holes patched.

            At the intersection of Rosevillle Road and S. R. 93 one of the Newton Township signs was posted at a location which impaired right of way visibility.  This situation has been corrected.

            Trustee Reports:

            Dozer reporting;

                        Harlan road looks great.

                        Stiers Lane needs dug up and packed back down.

                        Porter Run road has some pot holes that need to be filled.

                        ButcherKnife road looks good, is rather rough.

                        Crock road needs lots of work including some digging up and packing down.

                        Huggins road looks good, seems to be holding up well.

            Elson; has nothing to report.

            Smith;

                        Question to fiscal officer; has any word been received from AEP re; the street lights to be installed on Old Glory Road.  Nothing has been received.

            New Business:

                        None to report.

            Old Business:

                        None to report.

            Fiscal Officers Report:

                        The annual county banquet will be held November 12, 2009 at Timber Run Grange at 6:30pm.  Reservations need to be sent ASAP, Dozer and Smith agreed they would be in attendance, Elson declined.  This also interferes with the regular scheduled township meeting date; meeting date was changed to November 5, 2009. This will be posted on the township web site and on the marquee in front of the fire department.

                        Dozer asked the fiscal officer to check phone companies for some less expensive rates.  Comment from the fiscal officer, Sprint is currently researching our billing as there seems to have been some mis-calculations in the past 6 – 7 months.  No further word has been received at this time.

                        An updated newsletter has been received from Time Warner re; their continued service to the area.

                        Notice has been received from Muskingum County Board of Elections re; the upcoming election in November and the wording of the upcoming fire levy.  Also, there will remain 2 voting precincts within the fire department building.

                        A letter has been received from one Doug Matheney from Morgan County re; the Cap and trade legislation pending at state level.  He has requested contact from each of the trustees.  A copy of the letter was provided to each of the three trustees.

                        Notice has been received from the Auditor of States office re; the waiving of the $50.00 hardware surcharge from UAN beginning September 1, 2009.  This will be in effect until further notice.

                        20 / 20 Enterprises has yet to provide a contract to the township for the planned chip / seal of various roads.  This may not be deemed necessary as the weather may not permit this work to be completed.

                        Note was made that the audit being performed by the state is still underway.

                        Notice has been sent to the Times Recorder for advertisement of bank depository.  Bids to be received and opened at the November 5 meeting.

            Motion was made by trustee Smith to pay bills, second by Dozer, approved by Elson.

            The next regular meeting will be held November 5, 2009 at 7:00 pm.

            Meeting adjourned at 8:50 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.