May 2010

NEWTON TOWNSHIP MINUTES 05-13-2010

                Newton Township Trustees met in regular session on Thursday, May 13, 2010 @ 7:00 pm in the township meeting room at the fire department.  Those in attendance were; Martha Sterling, Robin Grear, Tony Morozowsky, and Tim Snelling township residents; Tim Rhodes of 20 / 20 Enterprises; Larry Taylor, township road supervisor; Craig Knox of the fire department; Derek J. Dozer, James R. Smith and Robert Stephenson, township trustees; Bernadine E. Swingle, township fiscal officer.

                Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chairperson Derek Dozer.

                Pledge of Allegiance was led by Dozer.

                Public Participation; first on the agenda was White Cottage Community Days committee representatives; Karen Grear, Martha Sterling and Tony Morozowsky.  Their purpose for attending was to introduce themselves as new representatives and to clarify their responsibilities in working with the township for the upcoming community day’s celebration.  No definite plans were put in place at this time.

                Tim Rhodes was present to present a bid for the seasonal chip / seal program.  As this was the only bid presented, 20 / 20 Enterprises was awarded the contract.  The contract / time element was discussed at length with the trustee board and Larry Taylor.  It was agreed that the entire job did not necessarily need to be completed at one time.  Coming back into the township 2 -3 times as roads were maintained as necessary was not a problem with the 20 / 20 company.  Taylor will be responsible to contact them when the roads are adequately prepared for application.

                Fire Department business was next on the agenda; Knox reporting.

                74 ems / fire runs were dispatched last month; 6 were not taken due to unavailable personnel / already out on a previous run.

                A meeting has been scheduled with the state for Friday am (05-14-2010) with the department for training site audit.

                The Fireman’s’ Festival scheduled for June 18, 19 and 20, 2010 is in progress.

                                Rides will arrive and be put in place on Thursday, this will take the place of fireworks as they will be scheduled for the White Cottage Community Days celebration.

                                Several vendors have already registered for the flea market.

                                A poker run is on schedule for a scenic route and no alcohol is being encouraged.

                                There will be food trailers, auxiliary will have a stand and fish and chips are in the plan.

                6 persons have been interviewed to join the fire department, three of which are being recommended to the trustees to be asked to join.

                                Derek Tucker is a township resident and is currently in fire training.

                                Wesley Kelly is a Dietz Lane resident, currently has Firefighter 1 and 2 cards as well as an EMT card.

                                Kaylee Garris is a township resident and is currently in EMT training.  She will be asked to complete her classes before being instated.

                                Dozer moved to accept all three, Smith seconded the motion, Stephenson agreed.

               A lock on one medic is broken.  This will be repaired temporarily for the present  time, request was made to purchase a refrigerated box the beginning of 2011 at the cost of $2500.00.  This was tabled for the present time.

                All necessary requirements have been met to allow one person be responsible for scheduling, getting necessary paper work completed and collecting the money.  Barb Knox will officially take on this task immediately.  A separate phone line has been established to allow her to do this from her home and at her convenience.

                FEMA grants are in the process of being completed for 2011.  Tim Swingle is completing one for a tanker truck and Allen Deaver is completing one for a SCVA compressor.

                The new data base for payroll has been finalized.  All that remains is for everyone on the department to be trained to use it.  This will be ongoing from now on.

                A few new screens are needed for windows in the building.  No decision was made on the purchase of same.

                It has been reported there have been kids on the roof of the building.  Knox is currently looking into the cost of erecting a chain link fence to prevent this from happening in the future.  He will present a bid at the June meeting.

                An estimate is in the process for ice damage done to spouting from the past winter.  Actual amount of the estimate will determine if this is an insurance claim.

                The E-Line training software is in and has been installed.

                As for the cameras / security system, following some discussion, it was determined cost for this will come from line item 2281-230-750-0000 and Cohen was given the go ahead to proceed with the project.  Stephenson moved to proceed, second by Smith and Dozer agreed.

                Stephenson asked the fire department to check the floor in the cafeteria and possibly get it cleaned up.  It is quite deplorable at this time.  Knox assured him it would be on the work agenda for the following week.

                Stephenson also noted there are some areas of the fire department bay area asphalt that needs attention.

                Road Report – Taylor:

                Ditching and mowing of the roadsides is in progress and going well.

                The gears in the grader are slipping; new chains are needed to remedy the problem.  Cost would be $800.00 each times four.  There is funding available in road and bridge fund to do this.  The board agreed this is necessary and to proceed with township employees providing labor.

                There is a 6’ culvert on Moxa – Darla road with a hole in the top of it.  It would cost approximately $5000.00 to replace / repair same.  Snelling, an employee of the county engineer’s office stated there is a possibility the county would help with this.  It will be researched further before the next meeting.

                Fiscal Officer noted to Taylor that both Jason Taylor and Travis Lyon need to stop in the office to provide their drivers license for a copy to be made for the records.

                Fiscal Officer also noted to Taylor to remind Elson to mention to Carter Lumber of being a government entity and not required to pay sales tax.

                Trustees Reporting:

                Smith noted the alley on Hoover Avenue in Fultonham shows to be township property according to the county map department.  This alley needs to be stoned heavily as it has been neglected for some time.

                Stephenson noted a resident of Porter Run Road has complained of dust coming from a private lane that borders her property and is becoming quite an issue.  She has requested help from the township.  As this is not township property, there is very little that can be done.  Stephenson has approached the residents of this lane and requested they attempt to help control the dust.  The residents have stated they cannot financially afford to do anything.

                Stephenson also noted the situation with the drainage on Pinkerton / Foxfire is under surveillance by the county engineer’s office at this time.

                Stephenson has approached an Ironspot resident; the trash issue on and around his property.  This has become quite a nuisance to surrounding properties, the resident was asked to please work with the township in cleaning it up.

                The trustees agreed they would each one follow up on checking their roads for where the chip/seal is most needed and report back to Taylor that he would be able to work with 20/20 on getting this completed.

                Clerks Report:

                The Madison Township / Perry county contract was presented for reviewing and signing for another year of mutual aide to their township.  This was approved and signed by all three trustees.

                Copies of the 20/20 Enterprises contract were made available to each trustee.

                Notice has been received from the Muskingum County Engineer’s office re; the bid award for the 2010 season.

                The first quarter payment has been received from JEDD.  Copies of the breakdown of funds was presented to each trustee.

                Notice has been received from District 18 Ohio Public Works Integrating Committee re; a meeting to be held Wednesday, June 2, 2010 in Marietta.

                A telephone call has been received from “Green Provence” a company selling weed killer.  Cost for same is $89.95 per gallon of concentrate.  Trustees agreed this was not a necessity at this time.

                A thank-you note was received from the Larry Taylor family for flowers sent at the time of death of Linda Taylor (Larry).

                Copies of the May issue Grassroots Clippings was given to each trustee.

                A resolution was presented to request an “Amended Certificate” for the addition of estate tax money received.  This was approved and signed by all three trustees.

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

                The next regular township meeting will be held on June 10, 2010 at 7:00 pm in the township meeting room at the fire department.

                Meeting adjourned at 9:40 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.