June 2010

NEWTON TOWNSHIP MINUTES 06-10-2010

                Newton Township Trustees met in regular session on Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 7:00 pm in the township meeting room at the fire station.  Those in attendance were as follows; Allen Deaver, Craig Knox, Jeremy Yarger, Aaron Hammers, Bryce Cooper, Jeff Lloyd, Kaliegh Garris, and Derek Tucker of the fire department; Bob Mock and Peggy & Bill Milatovich, township residents; Derek J. Dozer, James R. Smith and Robert J. Stephenson, township trustees; Bernadine E. Swingle, township fiscal officer.

                Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Mr. Dozer, chairperson.

                Pledge of Allegiance was led by Dozer.

                Agenda was approved as presented.

                Minutes were approved as presented.

                Firefighters inducted; two additional firefighters were inducted into the Newton Township Fire Department by presiding chairperson, Derek Dozer.  Those being; Derek Tucker and Kaleigh Garris.

                Public Participation:

                                Bob Mock had nothing to bring before the board.

                                Peggy & Bill Milatovich were present to question current billing practices for EMS services provided to township residents.  They have been told by the billing company they will be turned over to a collection service if any remaining balance is due beyond insurance coverage and is not paid by them when a transport has occurred with the fire department EMS facilities.  Township policy reads; any township resident that requires medical treatment / services by the local department will be billed to their insurance company medicare and any remaining balance would be written off / voided.  Occasionally this gets past the billing company / township fire personnel and the residents are charged.  When this happens, reimbursement  of any out of pocket money is made by the township.  This was reiterated to all township residents present; new billing software also has been installed to be able to monitor this more closely.

                Fire Department Report; Deaver reporting.

                A federal grant has been issued to the fire department for physical exams.  This will be scheduled at Genesis Occupational Health Complex per fire department chief.

                An estimate has been received for installing a fence around the southwest corner of the building to prevent anyone from being on the roof.  Strauss Fence, LLC of New Concord has presented an estimate to raise / install a chain link fence 49’ 4” tall at the cost of $960.00.  Dozer moved this be done as soon as possible, second by Smith and Stephenson agreed to same.  Knox will contact Strauss to begin the work as soon as possible.

                The gutters on the building still need repaired from damage received from snow / ice during the winter months.  Two companies have been contacted, to date none have responded.  Smith indicated it would be taken care of. 

                June 24 and 30, 2010 there will be a hydraulic tool demo (Jaws of Life) for anyone wishing to attend.  This will be performed by Genesis Co. & Hurst Co. (USA)>

                Fire and EMS run reports for April and May were made available to board of trustees.

                Road Report; Taylor reporting.

                Chip and Seal road treatment has been partially completed.  This is being done basically in front of houses per order of township trustees.  Finances do not allow for entire road applications at this time.

                The conveyor chain on the dump truck is running crooked.  Cost to replace the chain would be approximately $1200.00.

                Maintenance on the road grader including new chains and bearings has been completed.  It seems to be working well.

                Stephenson mentioned he has received a call from a resident on Cannon St. in E. Fultonham re; traffic moving too fast on this street where children live and are playing.  He is requesting “STOP” signs be installed at the intersections of First and Third Streets.   Following some discussion, a resolution was signed by all three trustees for this to be done

                Smith noted the Muskingum County Sheriff’s department called him in regards to a “mailbox and no turn around signs” being posted on Main Street in Ironspot.  Question was as to this being township property of which it is.  A resident will be contacted by Smith re; this issue.

                Dozer had no further reports.

                Old Business:  none to report.

                New Business:  none to report.

                Fiscal Officer Report:

                New legislation has been passed that will change candidate filing deadlines from 75 days before an election to 90 days before an election.  This will be in effect for the November 2010 general election, making the filing deadline August 4, 2010.

                Notice has been received from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield that effective September 2011 all health insurance paid by the employer will have to be claimed as income.

                A firefighter fell from a ladder in the truck bay of the fire department and received a head injury.  He was transported to the ER, tested and released.  OBWC claim has been filed on his behalf.

                Copies of June Grassroots Clippings, Contract for rock salt from ODOT, Englefield Oil price increase effective July 1, 2010,and a map from Columbia Gas showing laying of new gas line in the White Cottage area was given to each trustee.

                Fiscal Officer noted this is the year to re – assess all street lights located within the township.  AEP has been contacted for location of each light also the County Map Department has been contacted for parcel numbers and locations.  Request was made by the fiscal officer to acquire Paula Frank for assistance in completing this project.  Dozer moved it to be accepted, second by Smith and Stephenson agreed.

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

 The next regular meeting of the township board will be Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 7:00 pm at which time the budget for 2011 will also be reviewed.

 Meeting adjourned at 8:30 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.